Adolescents: health risks and solutions
Around 1.2 billion people, or 1 in 6 of the world‘s population, are adolescents aged 10 to 19. Most are healthy, but there is still substantial premature death, illness, and injury among adolescents. Illnesses can hinder their ability to grow and develop to their full potential. Alcohol or tobacco use, lack of physical activity, unprotected sex and/or exposure to violence can jeopardize not only their current health, but also their health as adults, and even the health of their future children.
Promoting healthy behaviors during adolescence, and taking steps to better protect young people from health risks are critical for the prevention of health problems in adulthood, and for countries‘ future health and ability to develop and thrive.
Key facts
• Estimated 1.2 million adolescents died in 2015, over 3000 every day, mostly from preventable or treatable causes.
• Road traffic injuries were the leading cause of death in 2015. Other major causes of adolescent deaths include lower
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