Our future: a Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing
The University of Melbourne, Columbia University, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and University College London
Highlights
Adolescents and young adults have until recently been overlooked in global health and social policy, one reason why they have had fewer health gains with economic development than other age groups.
The second Lancet Series on adolescent health concluded that a “Failure to invest in the health of the largest generation of adolescents in the world’s history jeopardises earlier investments in maternal and child health, erodes future quality and length of life, and escalates suffering, inequality, and social instability”. The response of the international development community to this and other calls has been striking.
The Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing was established as a network of academics, policy makers, practitioners, and young health advocates with broad expertise in adolescent health. The report considers the place of adolescent health within the life course, with particular reference to the health capital that accrues or is diminished across these years.
Attached to this report, George Patton, from the University of Melbourne presented an overview of the report. The presentation includes an analysis of late childhood and adolescent neurodevelopment and adolescent health needs. Mr. Patton concluded with key recommendations regarding intersectoral action, knowledge and youth empowerment.
