WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that neglecting adolescents’ mental, sexual and reproductive health could have “serious and life-threatening consequences for young people”.
Society may have to bear the brunt of this, so it is important that governments around the world make huge public investments in it.
Anemia among teenage girls is “common” and remains at 2010 levels, he said. At the same time, one in every 10 teenagers is obese.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs)
Diseases such as syphilis, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and genital herpes, which are common among young men, have also increased.
The WHO chief presented the new data and said they could have “lifelong health consequences” if left untreated.
They opposed efforts to “roll back” young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health care and sexuality education in the face of growing opposition to gender equality and human rights.
Any restrictive age of consent policy limits young people’s access to important services related to sexually transmitted infections and HIV, she said.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Adolescence is a unique and important stage of human development, marked by significant physical, mental and social changes and important for laying the foundations for long-term health.”
He said, “Promoting and protecting the health and rights of young people is essential to building a better future for our world.
“Conversely, failure to address adolescent health risks can have not only serious and life-threatening consequences for youth, but also high economic costs,” he said.
Benefits are possible
The report was released at an event organized on the occasion of the UN Future Summit.
Rajat Khosla, executive director of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, co-organizer of the event, said, “By being able to shape their own well-being and agenda for the future, adolescents are empowered to become empowered and responsible for themselves. They become incredible creative forces.”
“Leaders must listen to what young people want and ensure they play their role as active participants and decision makers,” he said.