Key Facts:
In 2021, over 1.5 million adolescents and young adults aged 10 to 24 years died, with approximately 4,500 deaths occurring every day.
Young adolescents aged 10 to14 years have the lowest risk of death compared to other age groups.
Injuries (including road traffic accidents and drowning), interpersonal violence, self-harm, and maternal conditions are the leading causes of death among adolescents and young adults.
Half of all mental health disorders in adulthood start before the age of 14, but many cases remain undetected and untreated.
Early onset of substance use is linked to a higher risk of dependence and other issues in adulthood, with younger individuals being disproportionately affected by substance use compared to older individuals.
In 2021, there were 42 births per 1000 girls aged 15 to 19 years globally.
Overview:
Survival rates for adolescents and young adults vary significantly worldwide. In 2021, the probability of dying among individuals aged 10 to 24 years was highest in sub-Saharan Africa and lowest in Europe and Northern America. The average global probability of a 10-year-old dying before the age of 24 was approximately six times higher in sub-Saharan Africa than in North America and Europe.
Within the age group of 10 to 24 years, mortality rates are lowest among adolescents aged 10 to 14 and highest among young adults aged 20 to 24. Generally, females have lower mortality rates for these age groups compared to males.
The patterns of death in individuals aged 10 to 24 years reflect the underlying risk profiles of different age groups. In 10 to 14-year-olds, infectious diseases are the dominant cause of death. However, among older adolescents and young adults, there is a shift towards accidents, injuries, self-harm, interpersonal violence, and maternal conditions. Intercourse differences in mortality rates also become evident during adolescence, with higher rates for males in conditions mentioned earlier, as well as collective violence and legal intervention. Maternal conditions become increasingly significant causes of death for young women in lower-income countries.
Main Health Issues:
Unintentional injuries, such as road traffic accidents and drowning, are the leading causes of death and disability among adolescents.
Road traffic accidents resulted in the deaths of 115,000 adolescents (10 to 19 years) in 2019, with many vulnerable road users affected, including pedestrians, cyclists, and users of motorized two-wheelers.
Drowning is also a significant cause of death among adolescents, with an estimated 30,000 adolescents, primarily boys, drowning in 2019.
Interpersonal violence is a leading cause of death among adolescents and young people globally, with its prominence varying by region. It accounts for nearly one-third of all adolescent male deaths in low- and middle-income countries in the WHO Region of the Americas.
Alcohol and drug use among adolescents is a major concern globally. More than a quarter of people aged 15 to 19 years are current drinkers, and prevalence of heavy episodic drinking is particularly high among males.
Tobacco use is another significant issue, with the majority of tobacco users starting during adolescence. Globally, in 2018, at least 1 in 10 adolescents aged 13 to 15 years used tobacco.
Mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Suicide is also a significant cause of death in the 15 to 19 age group.
HIV remains a concern among adolescents, with an estimated 1.7 million adolescents (age 10 to 19 years) living with HIV in 2021. Adolescents account for about 10% of new HIV infections, with a majority occurring among adolescent girls.
Tuberculosis continues to impact the lives of millions of children and adolescents, with over 1.1 million falling ill and more than 225,000 losing their lives each year.
Diarrhea and lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia, are among the top five causes of death for adolescents aged 10 to 14 years, particularly in African low- and middle-income countries.
COVID-19 has indirect negative effects on the well-being of young people, including mental health issues, disrupted education, social isolation, physical inactivity, malnutrition, and domestic violence.
Early pregnancy and childbirth pose risks to adolescent girls, with complications from pregnancy and childbirth being the leading causes of death in the 15 to 19 age group globally.
Environmental health, overweight, and nutrition are also important considerations in adolescent health.
Rights of Adolescents:
The rights of children and adolescents to health and development are recognized in international legal documents. Guidelines have been published to ensure the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health for children and adolescents, emphasizing the recognition of their specific health and development needs.
WHO Response:
The World Health Organization (WHO) collaborates with Member States and partners to improve the health of young people through evidence-based guidelines, recommendations for adolescent-responsive health systems, and progress documentation. The WHO has published the Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents (AA-HA!) report, providing guidance to support country implementation of adolescent health initiatives. Efforts are also being made to improve measurement and reporting of adolescent health indicators through the Global Action for Measurement of Adolescent health (GAMA) Advisory Group.
By addressing the various health issues affecting adolescents, promoting their rights, and implementing evidence-based strategies, the WHO aims to improve the overall health and well-being of young people globally.
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