Dear All,
Children and adolescents globally face urgent health and well-being challenges that call for immediate action. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Europe and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have collaborated to launch a series of fact sheets aimed at guiding the WHO European Region's collective response with a renewed focus on evidence-based interventions.
This first set of fact sheets covers key foundational challenges affecting early childhood outcomes and the interconnected challenges that significantly impact young people's health and development.
Child mortality inequalities: Neonatal mortality rates vary up to 28-fold across the WHO European Region, with concerning increases in six countries. Nearly 28% of all neonatal deaths are concentrated in three countries, and progress has stagnated in others above the Regional median. Learn more [1]
Opportunities for early childhood development: Over 5 million children are at risk of developmental difficulties. Evidence shows that every dollar invested in early identification yields a return of $4-$16, highlighting the importance of timely intervention. Learn more [2]
Breastfeeding support gap: Europe has the lowest global rates for exclusive breastfeeding, and many infants miss the critical first hour of life for breastfeeding initiation. Early breastfeeding is linked to reduced infection and malnutrition risks. Countries that have implemented workplace support, paid leave, and stricter marketing regulations have shown rapid gains, demonstrating the impact of supportive policies. Learn more [3]
Mental health: Mental health conditions now affect one in four adolescents in the European Region, with girls, older adolescents, and those from less affluent backgrounds reporting the poorest outcomes. Suicide remains one of the top three leading causes of death among adolescents, and in some countries, almost half of young people have unmet mental health care needs. The quality of mental health care varies significantly across the Region, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated action. Learn more [4]
Digital environment: 11% of teens now experience problematic social media use, up from 7% in 2018. One in three adolescents maintain continuous online contact with friends and others, while one in five play digital games for at least four hours daily. For younger children, only one in four children under age two meet international screen time guidelines. Learn more [5]
Overweight and obesity: One in three children aged 5-9 and one in four adolescents are living with overweight or obesity in the WHO European Region, with rates continuing to rise. The burden falls disproportionately on children from disadvantaged backgrounds, highlighting significant health inequities. Without effective intervention, obesity is projected to cost the Region $800 million USD annually by 2035. Learn more [6]
These challenges emerge against a backdrop of post-pandemic recovery, economic pressures, and widening inequities. They demonstrate how traditional health challenges intersect with modern pressures, from social media to changing food environments. Most importantly, they show where coordinated policy action can make a difference.
Links:
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[1] https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Firis.w...
[2] https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Firis.w...
[3] https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Firis.w...
[4] https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Firis.w...
[5] https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wh...
[6] https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wh...
CHIFA profile:
Amy Jane Stevens is a Paediatrician at the Yorkshire and Humbar Deanery in the UK. Professional interests: International child health. amyjanestevens AT doctors.org.uk