By 2030, around 1 billion adolescents will face complex health challenges in countries with multiple burdens.
464 million adolescents are projected to be overweight, and 42 million years of healthy life lost due to mental disorders or suicide by 2030.
Funding for adolescent health is very low, only 2.4% of total health development aid, even though adolescents make up 25.2% of the global population.
The commission started in 2021, involving 44 experts and many adolescents to focus on youth health solutions.
WHO reports a 27% decline in adolescent deaths over 20 years due to less malnutrition, fewer diseases, and better education.
Adolescents are about 24% of the global population, with the biggest number ever in history.
By 2100, nearly half will live in Africa, and 85% in Africa or Asia.
More adolescents now live in conflict zones—about 340 million, double the number since the 1990s.
Social media impacts adolescents as they are the first generation growing up fully online; most teens use the Internet worldwide.
The report calls for laws and policies to protect adolescent health, including sexual and reproductive rights, managing harmful commercial influences, and promoting healthy social media use.
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