A recent global report, prepared by adolescent health experts including those from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), highlights adolescent health and well-being as a critical priority for the future of economic, social, and public health development.
The 2025 Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, published in The Lancet, reveals that global investment in adolescent health is vastly insufficient compared to the scale of problems faced by this age group. Although adolescents represent approximately 24% of the global population (around two billion people), they receive only 2.4% of global development and health funding.
Major Challenges for Adolescents
The report identifies several complex challenges affecting adolescents worldwide, including:
- High prevalence of mental health issues and lack of adequate support services
- Rising obesity rates driven by complex environmental and commercial factors
- Lack of digital safety, exposing adolescents to cyberbullying, misinformation, and online abuse
- Exposure to violence in conflict zones and even within family environments
- Ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health restrictions
- Growing gaps in reproductive rights, particularly affecting adolescent girls
- Environmental challenges and the effects of climate change
Future Threats and the Need for Safe Urban Spaces
According to the report, by 2050, 70% of the world’s adolescents will live in urban areas. While urbanization can offer opportunities, rapid and unplanned growth may exacerbate poverty, social isolation, and housing insecurity.
The report emphasizes that public urban spaces must be designed and managed to be safe, engaging, and suitable for adolescents, as such environments significantly influence their mental health and overall well-being.
Recommended Solutions and Strategies
Key recommendations outlined in the report to improve adolescent health and well-being include:
- Amplifying adolescents’ voices and involving them in decision-making processes
- Developing targeted programs in partnership with the United Nations Office to advance adolescent health goals
- Expanding access to healthcare services and reducing gender-based violence
- Limiting harmful advertising targeted at adolescents
- Promoting healthy and positive use of social media and online platforms
- Strengthening collaboration between health and education sectors
The Importance of Adolescent Participation and National Leadership
Professor Susan Sawyer from MCRI underscores the critical role of adolescent engagement in policy-making. She describes the report as a valuable compilation of up-to-date data on youth health, calling for urgent, accountable actions.
She also highlights the major barrier posed by the lack of strong national leadership in adolescent health, stating: “A common misconception is that adolescents are healthy and therefore do not require health services. However, evidence shows that adolescents everywhere need responsive and confidential healthcare.”
The global adolescent health report is set to be unveiled at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. It underscores that adolescent health and well-being are not only medical issues but also social and economic challenges demanding comprehensive attention and collaboration to build a healthier future for coming generations.
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