The current health status of Australian adolescents is alarming. More than 80% do not meet the national level diet therapy or physical activity Guidelines. Fee Mental illness is also on the riseAround three-quarters of Australian adolescents experience symptoms of depression or anxiety. However, the country as a whole is not investing enough in youth health.
Adolescents’ daily lives are closely related to technology. and 95% of adolescents have access to a smartphonedigital health tools offer a promising opportunity to reshape the way young people access health services.
But are Australia’s digital health initiatives meeting the needs of young people? The short answer is no.
recent research Led by Imogen Croucher and Mariah Issa Youth Well LabThe University of Sydney found that 21 digital health prevention initiatives for young people currently available to the public have limited scope. Most of this focuses on mental health, leaving gaps in support for nutrition and physical activity, which are known to be protective factors for mental and physical health.
Strongly supported by Australian Commonwealth funding Culturally targeted health interventions. However, digital health efforts have been found to lack specificity for priority population groups. For example, across Australia, there are only four digital initiatives specifically designed for Indigenous youth.
Additionally, available digital health initiatives were rarely co-designed with young people, used complex language, and took place on platforms that young people were less likely to use, such as government websites. As a result, digital health initiatives are failing to meet needs.
The digital world is rapidly evolving, and evidence-based digital health initiatives are lagging behind. It is important to see these gaps as opportunities to intervene and provide. “The benefits for today’s youth, the people they will become adults with, and the next generation of children they will raise.”
the bigger problem is
Health and well-being conditions are declining globally, with the majority of adults not meeting physical activity or Nutritional recommendations. Now, non-communicable diseases are main cause of death worldwide.
The prevalence of these symptoms not only places a psychological and physical burden on individuals; Financial, labor, and medical burdens.
The Australian Federal Government’s primary focus is on: healthy aging It aims to improve the overall health and wellbeing of Australians aged 65 and over.
but, 45.6% of youth Report a diagnosis of at least one non-communicable disease (i.e., irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, type 2 diabetes). We need to recognize that to promote healthy aging, interventions need to begin much earlier than in adulthood.
Youth are part of the solution to healthy aging
Investing in youth is explained as follows: “One of the most powerful mechanisms available to protect humanity’s collective future.”
The world’s youth population is at an all-time high. 3.3 million young people (15-24 years old) Lives in Australia. Promoting youth health establishes lifelong protective behaviors. Prevent future disease burden.
of national preventive health strategy highlights how preventive health behaviors are ‘key to achieving a healthier Australia’. However, a lack of prevention investment in youth may limit progress toward achieving the goals of this strategy.
Investment is more than a dollar
In Australia, investing in youth is often part of broader health initiatives, which can have potential benefits. 10 USD for every 1 USD spent
But supporting youth requires more than financial investment.
the study We found that young people highly value their participation in decision-making processes. This engagement was also found to improve health outcomes for adolescents.
However, opportunities for youth to participate in efforts to improve health and well-being are rare. This goes against expert advice from. united nations, world health organization and Lancet Commission.
The University of Sydney Youth Health Advisory Committee (HAPYUS) is a youth advisory group established by. Youth Well Lab. HAPYUS is a successful example of how important it is to use young people’s voices in shaping research. Sarah Wardak, former HAPYUS youth advisor, said: “We want to be involved in research that concerns us, but this field seems so foreign and inaccessible to many people our age that we remain isolated rather than engaged.”
Youth should not be passive recipients of initiatives that directly impact their health and well-being.
Digital technology is part of the equitable solution.
As the technology sector expands, 80% in just 5 yearsthe potential for its use to improve health is increasing.
You need to be aware that digital solutions can introduce issues such as: assignmentincluding low accessibility (i.e. devices, stable internet connection, data) and digital literacy. However, unlike traditional interventions, digital health solutions can be a more equitable solution. It can scale and provide accessible healthcare around the world at relatively fixed costs.
National Digital Health Strategy (2023-2028) We affirm this and encourage you to “embrace the digital revolution” to provide better access to healthcare.
Researchers have taken advantage of the digital revolution. artificial intelligence, social mediaand text messaging It has been used to provide preventive health care to adolescents.
of Health4Me SurveyThe initiative, led by Dr. Rebecca Rayside, has proven to be a successful collaborative youth text message health prevention initiative. This study highlights how adolescents support co-designed digital health solutions. One participant stated, “It[the text message health initiative]should definitely be public…I would like to make the most of it again.”
The digital world is being used to improve health, but we also need to empower young people to participate in initiatives that work for them. Their first-hand experience ensures that the solutions are appropriate and effective. This results in By 2050, the cost of inaction will be USD 4.1 trillion.
we don’t have that luxury do not have Invest in youth.
Mariah Issa (she) is a Chartered Practicing Dietitian and Research Assistant with a focus on Public Health Nutrition at the University of Sydney. Her research explores how digital modalities can be leveraged to improve health outcomes for young people.
Imogen Croucher (she) is a clinical dietitian working in inpatient and outpatient settings and is passionate about preventive health to improve health outcomes for underrepresented groups.
Alison Todd (she/her) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies (major in Health) and a Master’s degree in Public Health. Her doctoral research aims to transform youth-led public health nutrition research and build capacity to meaningfully contribute to research and policy decisions that impact youth.
Professor Stephanie Partridge (she) is an Associate Professor at Sydney Horizon and a National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow at the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney.
Dr. Rebecca Rayside (she/her) is a research scientist with a background in public health. Her research focuses on maximizing the benefits of digital technologies to improve the health and well-being of adolescents. She has expertise in consumer engagement, clinical trials, and mixed methods research.
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
ART is supported by a Postgraduate Research Fellowship in Adolescent Health and Nutrition from the University of Sydney. SRP is supported by a University of Sydney Horizon Fellowship and a National Heart Foundation Future Leaders Fellowship (Award ID: 106646).
The statements and opinions expressed in this article reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily represent the official policy of the AMA. M.J.A. or Insight+ Unless otherwise stated.
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