- Adolescence is one of the most rapid and formative phases of human development. The distinctive physical, cognitive, social, emotional and sexual development that takes place during adolescence demands special attention in national development policies, programmes and plans.
- The global consensus on a comprehensive framework for adolescent well-being sets the agenda for a new generation of adolescent programmes that consider the interconnectedness of protective and risk factors for adolescent well-being at multiple levels, encompassing the diverse policies and programmes that promote good health and optimum nutrition; education, life-skills and employability; connectedness, positive values and contribution to society; and agency and resilience as well as the macro policies that shape safe and supportive environments.
- Investments in adolescent well-being bring a triple dividend of health and economic benefits – for adolescents now, during their future life and into the next generation. Thus, these investments enhance human capital. The smartest investments are the coordinated investments in health and education that bring mutually reinforcing benefits.
- The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development cannot be achieved without investment in adolescent health and well-being. This includes fulfilment of its goals related to poverty, hunger, education, gender equality, water and sanitation, economic growth, human settlement, climate change and peaceful and inclusive societies.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into the spotlight the power of the global community to make investments in health a global priority. It has also highlighted the fact that the role of schools goes well beyond education to ensuring critical nutrition, social protection, mental health and other services. This offers unique momentum to reinvigorate global commitments to adolescent health, well-being and children’s rights and to increase investments.
This chapter advances the case for investment in adolescent health and well-being based on key developments since the publication of the first edition of the guidance in 2017. First, it describes key developments since then that can inform better adolescent health and well-being programmes, including a consensus framework for adolescent well-being. Then, it explains what is special about adolescents that warrants dedicated attention in policies and programmes and why investing in adolescent health and well-being is worthwhile. It then summarizes the key learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic and describes other contemporary threats to adolescent health and well-being such as climate change and armed conflicts and displacements. Finally, the chapter presents examples of opportunities to advance the adolescent health and well-being agenda.
What is new in this chapter?
- Summary of lessons learned from the first edition of the AA-HA! guidance
- Key scientific findings and political and programmatic advances since 2017
- The adolescent well-being framework
- The investment case
- COVID-19 and other current threats to adolescent well-being and opportunities.
