WHO releases first report on improving health of adolescents

The first report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on adolescent health, “Working for a brighter, healthier future” illustrates WHO’s work across the range of issues in adolescent health and shows how WHO has increased its portfolio of research, set norms and standards, encouraged country support and advocacy, and extended the scope of its work at regional and country levels. WHO has created an interdepartmental working group to coordinate the work and better address the multifaceted needs of the global adolescent population. This report also provides many examples of WHO’s engagement with young people in all aspects of its work. WHO is working to collect and analyse data by age and sex, support the development of adolescent-responsive national strategies and plans; and help shape high-level policies to address the environmental, economic, and other social determinants of adolescent health.