Adolescent killers WHO reports lists interpersonal violence, traffic injuries, suicide as main causes of death among youth

Friday, May 16, 2014    

A new report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that interpersonal violence, traffic injuries and suicide are the three leading causes of death among youths ages 10 to 19 in the Americas while depression is one of the three top causes of illness and disability among youths in the hemisphere.

According to the World Health Organisation,
road traffic injuries are the number-one cause
 of adolescent deaths globally, and the
 number-two cause of illness and disability.

The report, titled Health for the World's Adolescents, notes that while adolescents are healthy most of the time, many have health problems that require serious attention from the health sector. Greater attention to these problems would not just prevent deaths and illness, but also improve health across the life course, by addressing conditions and behaviors that start or are reinforced during adolescence.

"The world has not paid enough attention to the health of adolescents," says Flavia Bustreo, WHO sssistant director general for family, women and children's health. "We hope this report will focus high-level attention on the health needs of 10 to 19-year-olds and serve as a springboard for accelerated action on adolescent health."

Drawing on a wealth of published evidence and consultations with 10- to 19-year-olds around the world, the report also brings together — for the first time — all WHO guidance on the full spectrum of health issues affecting adolescents. These include tobacco, alcohol and drug use, HIV, injuries, mental health, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, and violence. The report recommends key actions to strengthen the ways countries respond to adolescents' physical and mental health needs. more