Why a focus on adolescent health

Most non-communicable disease risk begins in adolescence — making early action critical

While non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally, many of the behaviours that drive them begin much earlier in life — during adolescence.

Today, young people aged 10–24 constitute 24% of the world's population¹, the largest generation in history.² Nearly 90% live in low- and middle-income countries, where they represent a significant share of the population.²

Despite their numbers, adolescents are frequently perceived as a generally healthy population, meaning health information is rarely tailored to their needs and young people are often excluded from decisions that affect their futures.

With many of the behaviours that drive NCDs beginning during adolescence, early prevention is one of the most effective ways to reduce long-term disease and premature death.^{3 4}

Adolescence is a critical window to shape lifelong health behaviours

Adolescence is a defining period when behaviours and habits that shape lifelong health are established.

Many of the key risk factors linked to NCDs — including tobacco use, unhealthy diets, alcohol use and physical inactivity — often begin during this stage of life.⁴ Scientific evidence also shows that adolescence is a period of ongoing brain development, influencing decision-making and increasing susceptibility to risk-taking behaviours.⁵

Once established, behaviours such as tobacco use frequently persist into adulthood, making them significantly harder to change and increasing long-term risk of non-communicable diseases.⁶

Climate and environmental risks are increasing long-term NCD burden

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks that affect long-term health. Air pollution has been linked to impaired lung development, learning difficulties and cognitive challenges in young people — all of which increase the risk of chronic disease later in life.⁷

At the same time, climate change is intensifying these risks. The Earth is now approximately 1.4°C warmer than in the pre-industrial era (1850–1900). 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures reaching around 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and 2015–2024 the warmest decade recorded.^{8 9}

Compared with previous generations, young people today are expected to face substantially higher exposure to climate-related events such as droughts, crop failures, flooding and extreme heat.¹⁰

Together, air pollution and climate change are accelerating the global burden of NCDs — with air pollution alone responsible for around 7 million premature deaths each year — making early prevention increasingly urgent.^{11 12}

Climate anxiety is already shaping young people’s health and outlook

The climate crisis is also affecting how young people think about their health, behaviour and future. A global survey of 10,000 young people aged 16–25 across 10 countries found that:¹³

59%

were extremely or very worried about climate change

75%

agreed that “the future is frightening”

64%

believed governments were not doing enough to prevent climate catastrophe

Young people are powerful drivers of prevention and system change

Despite these challenges, young people are increasingly stepping forward to drive solutions. They are powerful agents of change — shaping behaviours, influencing their peers and communities, and advocating for policies that prevent NCDs and strengthen health systems.^{14 15 16}

Supporting adolescent health delivers what experts describe as a 'triple dividend':

- better health for adolescents today
- improved health outcomes in adulthood
- stronger health for future generations.¹⁷

Investing in adolescent health and wellbeing is therefore an investment not only in today’s young people, but in the long-term health and resilience of societies worldwide.

Why focus on adolescent health?

Most non-communicable disease risk begins in adolescence — making early action critical

While non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally, many of the behaviours that drive them begin much earlier in life — during adolescence.

Today, young people aged 10–24 constitute 24% of the world's population¹, the largest generation in history.² Nearly 90% live in low- and middle-income countries, where they represent a significant share of the population.²

Despite their numbers, adolescents are frequently perceived as a generally healthy population, meaning health information is rarely tailored to their needs and young people are often excluded from decisions that affect their futures.

With many of the behaviours that drive NCDs beginning during adolescence, early prevention is one of the most effective ways to reduce long-term disease and premature death.^{3 4}

Adolescence is a critical window to shape lifelong health behaviours

Adolescence is a defining period when behaviours and habits that shape lifelong health are established.

Once established, behaviours such as tobacco use frequently persist into adulthood, making them significantly harder to change and increasing long-term risk of non-communicable diseases.⁶

Climate and environmental risks are increasing long-term NCD burden

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks that affect long-term health. Air pollution has been linked to impaired lung development, learning difficulties and cognitive challenges in young people — all of which increase the risk of chronic disease later in life.⁷

Compared with previous generations, young people today are expected to face substantially higher exposure to climate-related events such as droughts, crop failures, flooding and extreme heat.¹⁰

Together, air pollution and climate change are accelerating the global burden of NCDs — with air pollution alone responsible for around 7 million premature deaths each year — making early prevention increasingly urgent.^{11 12}

Climate anxiety is already shaping young people’s health and outlook

The climate crisis is also affecting how young people think about their health, behaviour and future. A global survey of 10,000 young people aged 16–25 across 10 countries found that:¹³

59%

75%

64%

Young people are powerful drivers of prevention and system change

Despite these challenges, young people are increasingly stepping forward to drive solutions. They are powerful agents of change — shaping behaviours, influencing their peers and communities, and advocating for policies that prevent NCDs and strengthen health systems.^{14 15 16}

Supporting adolescent health delivers what experts describe as a 'triple dividend':

- better health for adolescents today
- improved health outcomes in adulthood
- stronger health for future generations.¹⁷

Investing in adolescent health and wellbeing is therefore an investment not only in today’s young people, but in the long-term health and resilience of societies worldwide.

Read more about our work

Why focus on adolescent health?

Most non-communicable disease risk begins in adolescence — making early action critical

While non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally, many of the behaviours that drive them begin much earlier in life — during adolescence.

Today, young people aged 10–24 constitute 24% of the world's population1, the largest generation in history.2 Nearly 90% live in low- and middle-income countries, where they represent a significant share of the population.2

Despite their numbers, adolescents are frequently perceived as a generally healthy population, meaning health information is rarely tailored to their needs and young people are often excluded from decisions that affect their futures.

With many of the behaviours that drive NCDs beginning during adolescence, early prevention is one of the most effective ways to reduce long-term disease and premature death.3 4

Adolescence is a critical window to shape lifelong health behaviours

Adolescence is a defining period when behaviours and habits that shape lifelong health are established.

Once established, behaviours such as tobacco use frequently persist into adulthood, making them significantly harder to change and increasing long-term risk of non-communicable diseases.6

Climate and environmental risks are increasing long-term NCD burden

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks that affect long-term health. Air pollution has been linked to impaired lung development, learning difficulties and cognitive challenges in young people — all of which increase the risk of chronic disease later in life.7

Compared with previous generations, young people today are expected to face substantially higher exposure to climate-related events such as droughts, crop failures, flooding and extreme heat.10

Together, air pollution and climate change are accelerating the global burden of NCDs — with air pollution alone responsible for around 7 million premature deaths each year — making early prevention increasingly urgent.11 12

Climate anxiety is already shaping young people’s health and outlook

The climate crisis is also affecting how young people think about their health, behaviour and future. A global survey of 10,000 young people aged 16–25 across 10 countries found that:13

59%

75%

64%

Young people are powerful drivers of prevention and system change

Despite these challenges, young people are increasingly stepping forward to drive solutions. They are powerful agents of change — shaping behaviours, influencing their peers and communities, and advocating for policies that prevent NCDs and strengthen health systems.14 15 16

Supporting adolescent health delivers what experts describe as a 'triple dividend':

- better health for adolescents today - improved health outcomes in adulthood - stronger health for future generations.17

Investing in adolescent health and wellbeing is therefore an investment not only in today’s young people, but in the long-term health and resilience of societies worldwide.

Read more about our work

Community programmes

Advocacy

Research

Youth leadership

Today, young people aged 10–24 constitute 24% of the world's population¹, the largest generation in history.² Nearly 90% live in low- and middle-income countries, where they represent a significant share of the population.²

With many of the behaviours that drive NCDs beginning during adolescence, early prevention is one of the most effective ways to reduce long-term disease and premature death.^{3 4}

Once established, behaviours such as tobacco use frequently persist into adulthood, making them significantly harder to change and increasing long-term risk of non-communicable diseases.⁶

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks that affect long-term health. Air pollution has been linked to impaired lung development, learning difficulties and cognitive challenges in young people — all of which increase the risk of chronic disease later in life.⁷

Compared with previous generations, young people today are expected to face substantially higher exposure to climate-related events such as droughts, crop failures, flooding and extreme heat.¹⁰

Together, air pollution and climate change are accelerating the global burden of NCDs — with air pollution alone responsible for around 7 million premature deaths each year — making early prevention increasingly urgent.^{11 12}

The climate crisis is also affecting how young people think about their health, behaviour and future. A global survey of 10,000 young people aged 16–25 across 10 countries found that:¹³

Despite these challenges, young people are increasingly stepping forward to drive solutions. They are powerful agents of change — shaping behaviours, influencing their peers and communities, and advocating for policies that prevent NCDs and strengthen health systems.^{14 15 16}

- better health for adolescents today
- improved health outcomes in adulthood
- stronger health for future generations.¹⁷