Adolescent Health

Making a difference to young people’s health and wellbeing by advancing knowledge, policy, and practice.

We aim to improve the health and wellbeing of all young people through innovative, integrated and world-leading research, education, and knowledge dissemination.

We have led the way locally, nationally and globally in studies of the health of young people. We have been the first to document patterns of adolescent health across the globe.

Locally we have undertaken internationally unique studies of the factors influencing health as children pass through puberty and life transitions like leaving school, getting a job, leaving home, getting married and having a family of their own. These studies have moved on to the next generation, where they are considering the influence of the health and wellbeing of parents prior to pregnancy on the healthy start to life for newborns.

Our prevention studies have addressed questions about how schools and local neighbourhoods can become healthier and more nurturing places for adolescents. We have been particularly concerned with the health of young people who are socially marginalised including young indigenous people, young offenders and those who leave school early.

Our global work has included leading two series for the Lancet. The group is currently leading the Lancet Commission in Adolescent Health and Well-being in partnership with Columbia University, the University of Washington, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and University College London.