July 17, 2025

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This time bomb threatens the health of a billion young people worldwide, according to a recent report

This time bomb threatens the health of a billion young people worldwide, according to a recent report

Unprecedented health threats are now affecting young people aged 10 to 24, a problem never seen by previous generations. According to a recent report, nearly one billion young people—half of the world’s adolescents—will face significant health challenges by 2030. Adolescent health has now reached a critical tipping point.

Young people aged 10 to 24 are facing new health risks that earlier generations never experienced. A comprehensive international report published by The Lancet on May 20 outlines these new threats to the health of young people. The report estimates that nearly one billion young people—half of the world’s adolescent population—will face health problems by 2030.

Adolescent Health Overlooked

Adolescents make up 25.2% of the world’s population, but the report points out that “specific funding for adolescent health accounted for just 2.4% of total health development aid from 2016 to 2021.” Without action, the significant progress made in child health will be undone by increasing adolescent mortality due to certain conditions in the future. Adolescents are the future leaders of our world, and their well-being cannot be ignored during these times of extreme change. The health and well-being of young people aged 10 to 24 have now reached a critical point that demands attention.

Living Through Climate Disruption

These unprecedented health threats are primarily driven by climate change, rising obesity rates, and the growing prevalence of mental health disorders. Young people aged 10 to 24 will be the first to live their entire lives in a world with a destabilized climate. With rising extreme weather events, food insecurity, and the emergence of new diseases, the report estimates that “1.8 billion adolescents will live in a world where the temperature is expected to rise by about 2.8°C above pre-industrial levels” by 2100. As a result, adolescents will face the growing consequences of climate change throughout their lives, which will impact their health.

Obesity among adolescents continues to rise. It’s projected that nearly 464 million adolescents will be overweight or obese by 2030—145 million more than in 2015. Conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which are linked to obesity, are expected to affect young people even more. This rise in obesity is connected to a more sedentary lifestyle, largely due to excessive screen time, as well as malnutrition, which has become more common and accessible.

One in seven young people suffers from a mental health disorder, sometimes linked to phone use. © Maria Vitkovska, Adobe Stock

14% Suffer from Mental Health Disorders

The report stresses that mental health is “the largest disease burden among adolescents worldwide.” According to the WHO, one in seven young people aged 10 to 19—14%—suffers from mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or behavioral problems. Suicide is also the third leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds. Beyond the immediate effects, mental health problems during adolescence have lasting consequences on the future health of adults and “the survival, health, and well-being of the next generation.”

It’s important to note that these issues are interconnected. For example, stress from climate change can lead to mental health disorders, which in turn contribute to obesity. New technologies and the internet also have a part to play: 95% of adolescents in high and middle-income countries have an online presence. However, while the internet facilitates disinformation, cyberbullying, disturbing content, and social isolation, it also plays a role in mental health issues among young people.

A Triple Benefit Investment

The report underscores the need to make adolescent health a priority in national and global policies. The researchers suggest solutions such as implementing taxes on sugary foods or creating educational programs that foster psychosocial skills in young people (such as emotional management or conflict resolution). These investments would provide triple benefits: improving the lives of today’s youth, the adults they will become, and the future generations they will parent.





Lucie Petit

Journalism student

I’ve been passionate about science since childhood, growing up in the countryside with a strong love for nature. Inspired by my grandfather’s inventive spirit, I developed a curiosity for understanding and sharing knowledge. After earning a science-focused diploma, I chose journalism to make complex topics accessible. I’m now studying at ISCPA in Lyon and interning at Futura, where I’m excited to turn this passion into a profession.


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