What's happened
A new report highlights alarming trends in adolescent health, revealing that mental health issues and obesity are on the rise. By 2030, nearly half a billion teenagers are projected to be overweight or obese, while mental health has significantly declined. Experts call for urgent action to address these challenges, exacerbated by climate change and digital harms.
What's behind the headline?
Key Issues Facing Adolescents
- Mental Health Decline: The report indicates a significant decline in mental health among teenagers over the past three decades, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Obesity Crisis: Projections suggest that by 2030, 464 million adolescents will be overweight or obese, a stark increase from 2015 figures.
- Climate Change Impact: Today's adolescents are the first to grow up fully aware of climate change's effects, which pose new health risks.
- Digital Landscape: While digital platforms offer opportunities, they also introduce risks that can harm mental health.
Urgent Need for Action
The report emphasizes that current investments in adolescent health are inadequate compared to the challenges faced. Experts argue that without significant intervention, the health outcomes for future generations will worsen, leading to a cycle of poor health and limited opportunities. The call to action is clear: governments must prioritize adolescent health to safeguard the future.
What the papers say
The Guardian's Anna Bawden highlights the report's findings, stating that 'almost half a billion adolescents worldwide will be living with obesity or overweight and 1 billion at risk of preventable ill health by 2030.' Meanwhile, SBS reports that 'adolescents make up nearly a quarter of the global population, but they receive just 2.4% of international health and development funding.' This disparity underscores the urgent need for increased investment in adolescent health initiatives. The South China Morning Post adds that 'the health and well-being of adolescents worldwide is at a tipping point,' emphasizing the mixed progress observed over the past three decades. These sources collectively illustrate the critical nature of the report's findings and the pressing need for action.
How we got here
The Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing has released a report detailing the deteriorating health of adolescents globally. Factors such as climate change, mental illness, and digital exposure are increasingly impacting young people's well-being, with insufficient funding and support from governments.
Go deeper
- What are the main causes of declining adolescent health?
- How can governments improve support for young people's health?
- What role does climate change play in adolescent well-being?
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