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.
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.
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.