WHO: Adolescent health requires more attention

Road traffic injuries, HIV/AIDS and suicide are predominant causes of death among adolescents, according to a WHO report, which calls for more focus on adolescent health worldwide.

The report includes analysis of the top causes of adolescent death and illness and recommendations for prevention of these causes. WHO researchers reviewed published data and health policies from 109 countries concerning adolescents aged 10 to 19 years.

Road traffic injuries are the No. 1 cause of adolescent death and the No. 2 cause of illness and disability worldwide, according to the report. Death rates are three times higher for boys compared with girls. WHO recommends increasing access to safe and reliable public transportation to reduce the rates of road traffic injuries among adolescents. Creating safe pedestrian areas around schools and enforcing road safety regulations are recommended by WHO.

HIV/AIDS is the second leading cause of adolescent death, according to WHO. The number of HIV-related adolescent deaths is rising, especially in Africa, where HIV death rates are decreasing for all other population groups.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death, and depression is the No. 1 cause of illness and disability among adolescents. Studies show patients with mental disorders exhibit symptoms by age 14 years. To prevent suicide and alleviate depression, adolescent mental health care requires improvement.

Common infectious diseases such as diarrhea and lower respiratory tract infections rank second and fourth among causes of death of children aged 10 to 14 years. Besides meningitis, these diseases account for 18% of deaths in this age group, indicating a small decrease from 19% in 2000.

Regarding adolescent health behaviors, new data show that fewer than one in four adolescents exercises for at least 1 hour, the WHO recommended amount. In some countries, as many as one in three adolescents is obese.

Deaths due to pregnancy and childbirth complications have decreased since 2000, particularly in Southeast Asia, eastern Mediterranean and Africa. Despite these improvements, death resulting from pregnancy or childbirth is the second leading cause of death among females aged 15 to 19 years.

Some improvements are being made; the report indicates a decrease in cigarette use among adolescents in high-, middle- and low-income countries.

WHO recommends countries follow the example of countries such as India, whose new adolescent health strategy addresses a broad spectrum of adolescent health issues, including mental health, nutrition, substance abuse, violence, non-communicable diseases, and sexual and reproductive health.

“If left unchecked, health problems and behaviors that arise during adolescence — such as tobacco and alcohol use, diet and exercise patterns, overweight and obesity — have a serious impact on the health of development of adolescents today, and potentially devastating effects on their health as adults tomorrow. At the same time, we must not let up on efforts to promote and safeguard the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents, including HIV,” study researcher Jane Ferguson, PhD, of WHO’s department of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, said in a press release.