The health of Australian adolescents is in crisis, and it's time to take action. But here's where it gets controversial: despite the alarming statistics, the nation's investment in adolescent health is lacking. Over 80% of Australian youth are not meeting dietary or physical activity guidelines, and mental health issues are on the rise, with three-quarters experiencing depression or anxiety symptoms. Yet, the country's health system seems to be turning a blind eye to this vulnerable population.
The digital age offers a promising solution, as 95% of adolescents have access to smartphones. However, a recent study by Imogen Croucher and Mariah Issa from the Youth Well Lab at the University of Sydney reveals a shocking truth: the current digital health initiatives are not meeting adolescents' needs. These initiatives are limited in scope, primarily focusing on mental wellbeing while neglecting nutrition and physical activity, which are crucial for overall health.
A deeper dive into the issue: Australian federal funding supports culturally targeted health interventions, but digital health initiatives lack specificity for priority groups. For instance, only four digital initiatives cater specifically to First Nations adolescents. Moreover, these initiatives are rarely co-designed with adolescents, use complex language, and are often found on platforms that young people don't typically use, such as government websites. As a result, they fail to engage and support adolescents effectively.
The digital world is evolving rapidly, and evidence-based digital health initiatives are falling behind. This gap presents an opportunity to make a real difference in adolescents' lives. By investing in digital health interventions, we can provide benefits that will impact not only their present but also their future as adults and the next generation they will parent.
The bigger picture: The decline in health and wellbeing is not limited to Australia. Globally, most adults fail to meet physical activity and nutrition recommendations, leading to non-communicable diseases becoming the leading causes of death. These conditions burden individuals, healthcare systems, and economies. While the Australian federal government focuses on Healthy Ageing for those over 65, it's crucial to recognize that intervention should start much earlier. Adolescents are key to this solution.
A powerful statement: Investing in adolescents has been described as one of the most effective ways to secure humanity's future. With the largest adolescent population in history, Australia is home to 3.3 million young people aged 15-24. Promoting good health in this demographic can establish lifelong healthy behaviors, reducing the future burden of disease. The National Preventive Health Strategy emphasizes prevention, but without investing in adolescents, these targets may remain out of reach.
Beyond financial investment: While financial investment is essential, it's not the only requirement. Adolescents value involvement in decision-making processes, and studies show that this engagement improves their health outcomes. However, opportunities for adolescents to participate in health initiatives are scarce, contrary to expert advice from the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and The Lancet Commission. The Health Advisory Panel for Youth at the University of Sydney (HAPYUS) is a successful example of youth involvement in research, demonstrating the importance of including young voices.
Empowering adolescents: Digital technologies can be part of an equitable solution. Despite potential challenges like accessibility and digital literacy, digital health solutions can be scaled globally at a fixed cost, providing accessible healthcare. The National Digital Health Strategy encourages embracing the digital revolution to improve healthcare access. Researchers are already utilizing artificial intelligence, social media, and text messaging to deliver preventative health care to adolescents.
A success story: The Health4Me study, led by Dr. Rebecca Raeside, is a co-designed text-message health initiative that has proven successful. Adolescents advocate for such co-designed solutions, as they want to be involved in research that affects them directly. By empowering adolescents to participate in initiatives, we can ensure the relevance and effectiveness of these solutions, potentially saving USD $4.1 trillion by 2050.
In conclusion, investing in digital health interventions for adolescents is not just an option; it's a necessity. The authors, experts in public health and nutrition, declare no conflicts of interest. This article aims to shed light on a critical issue and spark discussion on how we can collectively improve the health and wellbeing of Australian adolescents.
