10 reasons to invest
Why invest in young people’s health?
The UK has 11.6 million young people aged 10-24, making up 18% of the population. AYPH believes it is important to invest in their health for 10 key reasons:
- The years between 10 and 24 are critical for developing longterm conditions and establishing health behaviours
- Young people’s health is not improving enough
- Young people re not getting the health services or information they require
- Health inequalities are already widespread by the time of transition to adulthood, and some are widening
- Positive trends in health behaviour must be supported in order to continue
- Ignoring chronic adolescent disease costs money
- Effects of poor healthcare in adolescence can last a lifetime
- Investing in young people’s wellbeing has benefits beyond health
- Many mental health issues are diagnosed at this age
- Investment in young people maintains and reinforces successful health interventions delivered in early childhood