WHO called 9 major health problems that occur in adolescents
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Adolescents aged 10 to 19 years are a special group of the population. In addition to the purely psychological characteristics of these people, there are numerous features of the body, health and development needs. Unfortunately, many of them face difficulties and obstacles to healthy development, including poverty, poor medical care, harmful environment. WHO specialists conducted a study and named 9 major health problems that occur in adolescents.
1. Adolescent health status
Every fifth person in the world is a teenager, and 85% of all adolescents live in developing countries. About two-thirds of cases of premature death and one-third of cases of chronic diseases are associated with the conditions and lifestyle that the teenager had. This in particular, and the negative impact of smoking, alcohol, lack of exercise, exposure to violence, early sexual life. Agitation for a healthy lifestyle, at least the introduction of educational programs, can help reduce the risks for this population group.
2. HIV and adolescents
About 45% of all HIV carriers are young people between the ages of 15 and 24. Therefore, adolescents need to know how to protect themselves from HIV, and to have this opportunity. Access to free counseling and testing can help adolescents know about their health status, be treated if necessary, and avoid spreading the virus.
3. Early pregnancy and fertility
About 16 million girls from 15 to 19 years give birth to about 11% of all children on the planet every year. Most cases of early pregnancy occur in adolescents from underdeveloped countries. The risk of death in the case of complicated births is much higher for adolescents than for adult women. Improve legislation - free access to contraception, age restrictions for marriage, etc. - can improve the situation.
4. Malnutrition
Today, there are two extreme trends that exclude the healthy development of adolescents. This malnutrition, which affects the children of third world countries, and obesity, which are inclined to boys and girls in developed countries. For economically backward countries, the implementation of food aid programs can be a solution to the problem. As for the rich countries, they should think about promoting sports, physical activity and healthy eating.
5. Mental Health
At least 20% of adolescents are susceptible to mental disorders, - depression, rapid mood swings, various addictions, suicidal moods, eating disorders, etc. The society must take care of the mental state of adolescents - to provide the necessary psychological assistance to those who need it.
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6. Smoking
Most of those who smoke in adulthood began to smoke while they were teenagers. Today, the number of teenagers who smoke is 150 million, and this figure is growing. The ban on cigarette advertising, the rise in cigarette prices, and the ban on smoking in public places are the most common methods of fighting smoking, but they are still not enough to convince young people of the harmful effects of cigarettes.
7. Excessive use of alcohol
Excessive use of alcohol by teenagers is a terrible modern trend. Alcohol affects the body, weakening self-control, which leads to unpredictable and dangerous cases. Excessive use of alcohol is the cause of accidents, violence, premature death. Methods of struggle - prohibition of alcohol advertising, prohibition of adolescents' access to alcohol.
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8. Violence
Violence - rape, domestic violence and war - are on the list of the most common causes of death of adolescents in the world. For every death, there are 20 to 40 requests for help from medical institutions due to violence. Those who recover after physical trauma will remain psychologically stricken forever. To help a teenager get out of the situation, you need to build an effective and caring medical and social system.
9. Wounds and safety on the road
Carelessness on the road, as well as in everyday life, is another threat to the life and health of adolescents. Inattention leads to serious injuries and even lethal incidents. Only central and local authorities can help in this by introducing relevant legislation that could really protect adolescents.
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