Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Flagship
Adolescence encompasses the transition from childhood through to adulthood, years that are formative for physical growth as well as social and emotional development.
Adolescence encompasses the transition from childhood through to adulthood, years that are formative for physical growth as well as social and emotional development. This period lays a foundation for health and wellbeing across the life-course and into the next generation.
The current generation of 10 to 24-year-olds is the largest in human history. They face different health challenges to previous generations, arising in part from megatrends in planetary ecosystems, digital technologies, nutrition and commercial drivers of health and well-being.
Mental health problems, obesity and metabolic risk, and a range of chronic diseases are now major health problems affecting young Australians. The consequences in terms of later life health, social adjustment and economic opportunity will be profound.
Although adolescents have often been overlooked by the health service system, both preventive and health care interventions increasingly offer opportunities for resetting adolescent trajectories and laying a foundation for future health and well-being.
Our vision
To lead and inform effective policy and actions for adolescent health and well-being through multidisciplinary research that draws on the many disciplines encompassing public health, clinical practice, and the social and biological sciences. With a focus on working with young people and their families in developing an evidence base for the most pressing health problems affecting young people in Australia and around the world.
Our aim
Together with our partners in Victoria, Australia, in our region and globally, we strive to ensure that every young person has an opportunity to achieve their potential.
Together with the support of our partners on the Melbourne Children’s Campus (The Royal Children’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne) our teams have become global leaders in adolescent health research, education, and evidence-based advocacy.
This adolescent health flagship continues to train and support the next generation of research and clinical leaders.
More information
- Centre for Adolescent Health
- Justice Health research group
- Adolescent Health research group
- Centre of Research Excellence in Global Adolescent Health
- 2000 Stories Study
- Longitudinal Study of Teenagers with Endometriosis, Period and Pelvic Pain project (LongSTEPPP)
- Australian Temperament Project Generation 3 project
Adolescent health news
Almost three quarters of adolescents experience depression or anxiety
Almost three quarters of adolescents in Australia experience clinically significant depression...
Unique mental health program in schools has positive impact and reduces stigma
A unique program designed for schools to improve mental health has achieved top marks, having...
What are puberty blockers? What are the benefits and risks for transgender children?
Puberty blockers are medications that stop the body from producing oestrogen and testosterone....
Can a 10-year-old be responsible for a crime? Here’s what brain science tells us
Trans youth health project receives MRFF grant
A Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI)-led project that aims to improve trans and...
MRFF grants to boost children’s health and wellbeing
Improving healthcare for children with bronchiolitis, brain cancer and epilepsy and boosting the...
Study tracking a generation’s health still open to eligible families as it enters new phase
Newborn recruitment has closed for a world-first study that is tracking the health of an entire...
Australian-first guidelines to help support children with anxiety
Melbourne researchers have created new clinical guidelines to better support children and...
Dr Cindy Pham named an Emerging Leader on the 2023 Victorian Honour Roll of Women
Dr Cindy Pham, Research Officer at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), was among the...
‘Adolescent, pregnant and forgotten’ – new research identifies maternal healthcare gap for millions of adolescent girls
New research, published in The Lancet and launched at the Scientific Meeting of the...
Victorian government accelerates vaccine uptake, mental health and genetic disease programs
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Doctors Carmen Pace, Jessica Kaufman, and Simone...
Improving preschool attendance and parent mental health could reduce childhood inequity
Improving childhood preschool attendance and parental mental health could reduce child and youth...
Innovative digital program to decode youth mental health and well-being
A new evidence-backed, video-led education program featuring TV, TikTok and sporting stars has...
Positive social-emotional environments in schools boosts student’s mental health
A Murdoch Children's Research Institute led project has shown that fostering a positive...
Mental health in children and adolescents
Good mental health is important for a child’s overall wellbeing, including their physical,...
Emerge: An eHealth Model of Care following paediatric cancer treatment
Emerge: An eHealth Model of Care following paediatric cancer treatment. This telehealth program...
Australian Temperament Project Generation 3 (ATP Gen3)
The Australian Temperament Project (ATP) is one of the longest-running studies of social and...
Stronger Futures - Centre of Research Excellence
Building resilience and breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and social inequity. The...
Centre of Research Excellence in Global Adolescent Health
Research to drive investment in neglected areas of adolescent health, including groups...
Centre of Research Excellence in Childhood Adversity and Mental Health
Children who experience challenges or adversities during their childhood are six to 10 times...