World Health Organisation report reveals top causes of death and illness among youth

A NEW report reveals the leading causes of illness and death among the world’s youth. Luckily, it’s not all bad news.

Depression is the leading cause of illness among the world’s adolescents.

DEPRESSION is a black cloud hanging over the world’s youth, with a world-first report revealing the condition as the number one cause of illness and disability for the age group around the globe.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has investigated the predominant causes of death and illness among boys and girls aged 10 to 19, drawing on published evidence and consultations with young people.

Depression is the most prevalent factor in youth illness, while self-harm is fifth and anxiety disorders are eighth.

Most deaths among adolescents are from road crashes, and it is also the number two cause for illness and disability.

HIV/AIDS and suicide are the next most common ways young people die throughout the world.

In a discussion of the report, WHO says half of all people who develop mental disorders have their first symptoms by the age of 14.

“If adolescents with mental health problems get the care they need, this can prevent deaths and avoid suffering throughout life,” the report states.

HIV/AIDS is the second most prevalent cause of death among those aged 10 to 19.

THE BAD NEWS

The number of deaths related to HIV/AIDS is rising, mostly in Africa.

Meanwhile, infectious diseases still have a hold on adolescents, with diarrhoea and lower respiratory tract infections among the top 10 killers.

Fewer than one in four youths do the recommended amount of daily exercise and, in some countries, one in three is obese.

The World Health Organisation has called for a stronger focus on the health of young people.

THE GOOD NEWS

However, it’s not all bad news in WHO’s Health for the World’s Adolescents report.

Deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth have fallen significantly since 2000, particularly in regions where maternal mortality rates are highest.

These fatalities have dropped in the southeast Asian, eastern Mediterranean and African regions by 57 per cent, 50 per cent and 37 per cent respectively.

The killer habit of cigarette smoking is also on the decline, with fewer adolescents lighting up in most high-income countries and some middle- and low-income countries.

Childhood vaccination has made a serious dent in the prevalence of measles. Rates have fallen by a significant 90 per cent in Africa between 2000 and 2012.

A Pakistani health worker administers polio vaccine drops to a child in Quetta. Picture: AFP/Banaras Khan

THE EXPERT

The lead author of the report, WHO scientist Jane Ferguson, said the findings showed nations needed a stronger focus on adolescent health. “If left unchecked, health problems and behaviours that arise during adolescence — such as tobacco and alcohol use, diet and exercise patterns, overweight and obesity — have a serious impact on the health and development of adolescents today, and potentially devastating effects on their health as adults tomorrow.”

If you need help for depression, you can get in touch with beyondblue or phone Lifeline on 131 114.

Originally published as World Health Organisation report reveals top causes of death and illness among youth