The UNGA78 side event, “1.8 Billion Futures: How to Secure the Long-term Health and Well-Being of Adolescents and Young People Worldwide,” shed light on the critical importance of investing in the health and well-being of adolescents and young people. This group currently comprises a fifth of the global population, totaling approximately 1.8 billion individuals. Failure to address their needs could impede the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all by 2030. Alarmingly, road traffic injuries emerged as a leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults, claiming over 1.5 million lives in 2021. Additionally, the onset of mental health disorders often occurs by the age of 14, underscoring the urgent need to prioritize mental health support for young people. Coupled with the numerous challenges they face, such as the climate crisis, technological changes, gender-based violence, and poverty, it is imperative that efforts to improve adolescent and youth health be intensified. Acknowledging the limited allocation of development assistance for adolescent health, organizations like Fondation Botnar and Cotton On Foundation have made commitments to enhance the well-being of young people through various initiatives. Furthermore, it is crucial to involve young people themselves in devising solutions and consulting them on matters that impact their health and well-being. Donors and partner organizations must support youth-led initiatives to amplify their impact. Throughout UNGA 78, parallel sessions have witnessed the commitment of organizations like Ferring International and the Adara Group towards the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents. However, true engagement with youth entails more than just token representation; it necessitates actively listening to their voices and supporting their ideas. Encouragingly, upcoming events like the Global Forum on Adolescents and the 1.8 billion campaign aim to mobilize resources to advance the ideas and impact of young people.
Investing In Health And Well-Being
Importance of Investing in the Health and Well-Being of Adolescents and Young People
The UNGA78 side event titled “1.8 Billion Futures: How to Secure the Long-term Health and Well-Being of Adolescents and Young People Worldwide” emphasized the critical importance of investing in the health and well-being of adolescents and young people. As of now, adolescents make up a significant portion of the global population, with approximately 1.8 billion individuals falling into this age group. Neglecting the unique needs of adolescents and young people has the potential to hinder the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all by 2030.
Key Health Issues Affecting Adolescents and Young People
Adolescents and young people face a range of health issues that have a significant impact on their well-being. One of the most prominent challenges is road traffic injuries, which continue to be a leading cause of death among this age group. In 2021 alone, over 1.5 million lives were lost due to road traffic accidents among adolescents and young adults. This sobering statistic emphasizes the urgent need for interventions and policies that prioritize road safety for young people.
Additionally, the emergence of mental health disorders by the age of 14 further underscores the need to address mental health challenges in adolescents and young people. The pressures of transitioning through adolescence, combined with societal and academic expectations, can significantly impact their mental well-being. It is crucial to provide adequate support and resources to address mental health issues and promote positive mental well-being among young people.
Furthermore, adolescents and young people are navigating multiple challenges in today’s world. These challenges include the climate crisis, rapid technological changes, gender-based violence, and pervasive poverty. These factors collectively affect the health and well-being of young people, necessitating comprehensive and holistic approaches to address their unique needs.
Global Priority: Investing For Youth
Insufficient Focus on Adolescent Health in Development Assistance
Despite the significant impact that poor health can have on the lives of adolescents and young people, only a limited percentage of development assistance is currently dedicated to adolescent health. This lack of focus prevents the allocation of sufficient resources to tackle the specific health challenges faced by this age group. However, some organizations have recognized the importance of prioritizing adolescent health and have made commitments to improve the well-being of young people.
Organizations like Fondation Botnar and Cotton On Foundation have taken proactive steps to support initiatives that address the health and well-being of adolescents and young people. Through their commitments, they aim to enhance access to quality healthcare, promote healthy lifestyles, and empower young people to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Such commitments are crucial in driving positive change and ensuring that the unique health needs of adolescents and young people receive the attention they deserve.
Involvement of Young People in Finding Solutions
To effectively address the health challenges faced by adolescents and young people, it is vital to involve them in the decision-making process. Young people should have a voice and be encouraged to actively participate in the discussions that directly affect their health and well-being. By consulting young people on issues that impact them, policymakers, organizations, and communities can gain valuable insights and develop solutions that are more targeted and effective.
Additionally, supporting youth-led initiatives and maximizing their impact is crucial. Young people are often the ones who understand their needs and can generate innovative ideas to address the challenges they face. By providing the necessary resources, mentorship, and platforms, their ideas can be transformed into impactful projects that bring about positive change in the health and well-being of adolescents and young people.
Commitments to Health and Well-Being of Adolescents and Young People
Several organizations have made commitments to prioritize the health and well-being of adolescents and young people. For example, Ferring International and the Adara Group are among the organizations that have pledged their support to improve the lives of young people worldwide. These commitments demonstrate the increasing recognition of the importance of investing in the health and well-being of adolescents and young people, and signify a collective effort to drive positive change.
Parallel sessions held during UNGA 78 have focused on the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents, indicating the commitment of various stakeholders to address the specific needs of these populations. These sessions provide an opportunity for collaboration, sharing of best practices, and fostering partnerships to accelerate progress towards achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals.
Meaningful Engagement with Youth
Meaningful engagement with young people goes beyond token representation. It entails actively listening to their voices, valuing their perspectives, and creating spaces for their ideas to flourish. By involving young people in decision-making processes and acknowledging their expertise, the health and well-being of adolescents and young people can be better addressed.
Creating platforms for dialogue and consultation can allow young people to express their aspirations, concerns, and recommendations regarding their own health and well-being. By including young people in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policies, these initiatives can become more relevant, impactful, and sustainable.
Moreover, supporting the ideas and initiatives of young people is crucial. By providing them with resources, mentorship, and guidance, their innovative projects can blossom and have a lasting impact on the health and well-being of their peers. Nurturing young people’s potential and empowering them to take a leading role in shaping their own destinies is essential for their personal growth and the overall well-being of society.
Upcoming Events for Mobilizing Resources
Upcoming events such as the Global Forum on Adolescents and the 1.8 billion campaign aim to mobilize resources and raise awareness about the health and well-being of adolescents and young people. These events provide an opportunity for stakeholders to come together, share knowledge, and devise strategies to support the ideas and initiatives put forth by young people.
The Global Forum on Adolescents offers a platform for discussions on critical issues relating to adolescent health and well-being, with the goal of identifying practical solutions and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders. By convening experts, policymakers, young people, and advocates, the forum aims to drive tangible change and secure a better future for adolescents and young people worldwide.
The 1.8 billion campaign is an advocacy initiative that seeks to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by adolescents and young people, given their substantial population size. By mobilizing resources, partnering with organizations, and engaging young people as agents of change, the campaign aims to catalyze actions that will improve the health and well-being of this demographic.
In conclusion, investing in the health and well-being of adolescents and young people is vital for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 and securing a prosperous future. By addressing key health issues, increasing the focus on adolescent health in development assistance, involving young people in finding solutions, making commitments, fostering meaningful engagement with youth, and mobilizing resources through upcoming events, significant progress can be made in improving the health and well-being of adolescents and young people worldwide.
