WORLD YOUTH AND HEALTH

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 3^rd 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 65^th 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, 64^th world health assembly, WHA64.28

[2]        World Youth Report, Chapter 4 “Youth Health Issues”