In a rapidly evolving world, adolescents are facing significant challenges like high mortality rates, mental health, pregnancy, education and employment, and climate and environmental hazards, according to a new WHO report on Tuesday calling for greater investments in adolescent well-being.
The report released at
the 77th World Health Assembly was commissioned by PMNCH (The Partnership for
Maternal, Newborn & Child Health), and other global agencies like WHO,
UNICEF, and UNFPA.
Failure to substantially
increase investment aimed at improving adolescent well-being would result in a
staggering economic cost, with potential global losses amounting to an
estimated $110 trillion (benefits foregone) from 2024 to 2050, which equates to
$4.1 trillion per year, the report said.
On the other hand, a
broad package of health services for adolescents is likely to give an estimated
return of $9.6 for every dollar invested.
Investing in education
and training for adolescents is also likely to give a return of $28.6 for every
dollar invested.
"With just about
five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, progress lagging,
and the adolescent population increasing, the urgency of investing in
adolescents' well-being cannot be overstated," said Helen Clark, former
Prime Minister of New Zealand and PMNCH Board Chair.
The experts called for
increasing investment programmes to improve adolescent well-being on three key
platforms or systems: universal health coverage, including primary care;
enhanced schools that focus on learning, health, nutrition, and student
well-being; and support systems, strengthening local community initiatives for
adolescent health and well-being.
The five domains crucial
for adolescent well-being include health and nutrition; connectedness, positive
values and contribution to society; safety and a supportive environment;
learning competence, education, skills, and employability; and agency and
resilience.
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