Adolescent health is developing as a specialist field in New Zealand, and is an area of increasing importance across the wider sector. Significant gains have been made in youth health in the past few years – a number of youth-focused services, including school-based and community-based services have emerged, and considerable research in the area of youth health has been undertaken.
Youth Health: A Guide to Action published in 2002, set out the goals, objectives and specific actions aimed at improving the health of New Zealand’s young people aged 12 to 24 years. It was developed to guide the health sector, and other sectors that have an impact on the wellbeing of young people. The Guide to Action shares the positive youth development approach in the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa which aims to shift the way that young people have traditionally been viewed – from a problem to be solved, to being valued partners participating in decisions that affect them.
Why is focusing on youth health important?
Good health is essential to the positive development of young people. Generally, most young people are healthy most of the time. However, the years between 12 and 24 years are when people are most likely to be involved in risk-taking behaviours. Attitudes and behaviours, both positive and negative, established during adolescence and young adulthood will influence ongoing behaviours and have life-long impacts.
Health is holistic and the health of young people is often a reflection of what is happening in their lives – positive connections with family / whānau, school, peers, communities and work and training are all important for healthy development. Quality youth health services work within a youth development framework and avoid a focus on single health issues.
Acknowledging that health is only one component of a young person’s life, there has been increased interdepartmental collaboration among health, education and social services agencies that work to support young people.
Many groups within the Ministry support youth health through their work – including primary health care, mental health and sexual health.
Links to other groups within the Ministry:
Primary health care - http://www.moh.govt.nz/primaryhealthcare
Mental health - http://www.moh.govt.nz/mentalhealth
Sexual and reproductive health - http://www.moh.govt.nz/sexualhealth
Suicide prevention - http://www.moh.govt.nz/suicideprevention
Healthy Eating, Healthy Action - http://www.moh.govt.nz/healthyeatinghealthyaction
Pacific Health - http://www.moh.govt.nz/pacific
Māori Health - http://www.maorihealth.govt.nz/ |
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