Need To Care For Our Adolescents and Youth

There is an increasing rise of adolescent death, both in young ones and adults. Researchers have found the reason as rise of non-communicable diseases. The research was found by Global Burden of Disease. The reason for disability and premature death in youngsters is due to many socio economic reasons. Self-harm, road traffic injuries, fire and heat related injuries, mental and depressive disorders are just to name a few. The Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) are in large number in youth. The biggest concern revolves about 95% of adolescents indulged in self-harm.

Dr. Rohina Joshi, researcher, explained that there is still a 50% contribution of communicable diseases in making the adolescents disabled. These diseases are hepatitis, flu, measles and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The other half is completed by non-communicable diseases which are easy to prevent and are controllable. The injuries and accidents met by the youth is on the rise. In often cases, it leads to death or permanent disability which hinders their living and capacity to work. The reasons pointed out by researchers is languid lifestyle, minimal physical activity and unhealthy eating habits. This leads to early onset of non communicable diseases. Complex problems like heart attacks and chronic lung diseases are also on the rise.

The survey was done between the years 1990 and 2013 and unpleasing results were found out. There were multiple cases where teenagers suffered from lower self-esteem, unrealisation of high expectations and subsequent depression. Competition among their peers to strive and achieve better also lead to development of inferiority complex which is carried with them as a burden for the rest of their lives. It causes a social stigma and the young mind is crippled with the feeling of uselessness and despair.

Dr. Pallab K. Maulik, researcher, highlights that there is an availability to treat and cure communicable diseases but neither much work is done nor stress is laid to address the growing cases of non-communicable diseases in youth. What is more disheartening is that the disabilities, stigmas and deaths can be easily avoided if proper evidence-based strategy is planned keeping in view the teenagers concerns.

● Table showing deaths due to various reasons in younger adolescents aged between 10-14 years in the period of 1990-2013.

Deaths due to injuries 23% (Girls )  27% (Boys)

Deaths due to communicable diseases 54 % (Girls ) 47% (Boys)

Deaths due to non-communicable diseases 23% (Girls) 25% (Boys)

Deaths due to self-harm 105% (Girls) 87% (Boys)

The most common reason leading to disability in this age group is the deficiency of iron, leading to anaemia. Other common conditions were depression, anxiety, conduct disorder, skin diseases and migraine that contributed as much as 40 to 50% in causing disability of 10 to 14 year olds.

● Table showing deaths due to various reasons in older adolescents aged between 15-19 years in the period of 1990-2013.

Deaths due to injuries 38% (Girls)  43% (Boys)

Deaths due to communicable diseases 20% (Girls) 26% (Boys)

Deaths due to non- communicable diseases 42% (Girls) 31% (Boys)

In boys, the major reason for mental illness and depression were interpersonal violence and self-harm which was 50% for the past 23 years. Leading causes of disability in boys were road injuries and self-harm. For girls, self-harm, injuries related to fire and heat and related factors were leading causes of disability. It is time we realize the impending problem at hand and plan measures to tackle such fragile situation. We need to understand our youth so that we can see a brighter future for them.