Owing to the fact that around 1800 million young people living
globally which is almost one quarter of the total population of the world. Most
of them are between the ages of 10 and 24 years. These individuals got
extraordinary abilities to shape and lead the world’s social, economic and
health sectors. Other than this, group which we name as “Youth” usually set
social behaviors and trends for future.
It is another bitter fact that due to lack of health care and
education, 2.6 million annual deaths are among young people.1 A
study shows that mostly those deaths are preventable by education of moral health
behaviors and continuous monitoring of youth conduct. Link between youth and
health is so important to understand to develop a healthy lifestyle and good
quality of life. Particularly, it provides the elements for good mental and
physical fitness during the growth stage. Getting satisfactory amounts of
nutrients i.e. calcium, vitamin D and weight-bearing exercise for healthy bones
and teeth is just one example of how crucial it is for young people to eat
right and exercise regularly.
According to World Youth Report2 Youth related
concerns include imprecise behavior, excessive use narcotics and drugs, so it
was essential to policy and plan related to tobacco and other hazardous drug control.
Similarly training associated to food consumption need global strategy to
reduce the harmful use of alcohol and control on diet. This can be done by
recommendations on the marketing of healthy foods containing healthy nutrients
and non-alcoholic beverages to youngsters. Marketing can be done to develop
healthy sports culture and healthy physical activities.
Another important issue related to Youth is reproductive health,
productive health policy for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted
infections is an essential need.
As figure shows there is healthy amount of people in 3rd world who didn’t hear
about AIDS which shows the lack of interest and knowledge especially in third
world. Similarly there are numerous examples where females got babies before
18. A solid strategy is required especially for the youth of third world. A
generic sex awareness programs are required to involve those who can’t afford
internet or cannot access web based knowledge.
Pakistan is one of the largest country in counts of population, it
got 35% of youth population and rank 65th in the world. All above
mentioned issues are the major issues in Pakistan including drug to HIV. Youth
as the major source of Pakistan, youth-friendly multiplicative health services
are prerequisites to promote harmless health behaviors. A life skills-based prospectus
needs to be developed in Pakistan schooling systems to address these issues.
References:
[1] Youth and Health risks, 64th
world health assembly, WHA64.28
[2] World Youth Report, Chapter 4 “Youth
Health Issues”
