Adolescent health in the Middle East and North Africa region: leaving no one behind

Adolescents aged 10–19 years make up 17% of the population of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region (1), and about 50% of the population in the region is younger than 30 years. This presents a unique opportunity for demographic dividends and potential for economic growth as young people transition into their most productive years. However, actions to address and advance adolescent health in the region are currently slow despite the huge benefits. The extent of acknowledgment of adolescents and their health issues and actions to address them vary from country to country and within countries. Any investment in adolescent health in the region is expected to produce triple dividend that will impact adolescents of today, future adults and the future generations (2). Considering the limited time‐window of opportunity between adolescence and adulthood, MENA countries must act now to implement interventions that will positively transform the health of these adolescents (3). Over the past few decades, there has been a considerable reduction in the incidence of communicable diseases, but these reductions have been largely offset by the negative health impacts of conflicts in the region and the emergence of non‐communicable diseases such as mental health disorders, unintentional injury, and self‐harm. Preventable risk factors such as high body mass index and tobacco use are common (4).

Suggested citation:

AlBuhairan, F., Abdel‐Tawab, N., Nar, M., Hamad, B., Dabis, J., Feteha, F. et al. 'Adolescent health in the Middle East and North Africa region: leaving no one behind.' East Mediterranean Health Journal. 2023;29(2):89-90. (https://doi.org/10.26719/emhj.23.008)