The current health status of Australian adolescents is raising alarms across the nation. Over 80% of young Australians are not adhering to national dietary or physical activity guidelines. Furthermore, mental health issues are on the rise, with approximately three-quarters of adolescents experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety. Despite these concerning statistics, there is a noticeable lack of investment in adolescent health.
In an era where technology is deeply embedded in the lives of young people, with 95% of adolescents having access to a smartphone, digital health tools present a promising opportunity to revolutionize how youth access healthcare services. However, the question remains: are Australian digital health initiatives adequately meeting the needs of adolescents? The short answer is no.
Current Digital Health Initiatives Fall Short
A recent study led by Imogen Croucher and Mariah Issa from Youth Well Lab at The University of Sydney revealed that the 21 currently available digital health prevention initiatives for adolescents are limited in scope. Most of these initiatives focus on mental wellbeing, leaving significant gaps in support for nutrition and physical activity, which are crucial protective factors for both mental and physical health.
While Australian federal funding supports culturally targeted health interventions, digital health initiatives often lack specificity for priority population groups. For instance, only four digital initiatives across Australia are specifically designed for First Nations adolescents. Moreover, these initiatives are rarely co-designed with adolescents, use complex language, and are often found on platforms unlikely to be frequented by young people, such as government websites. Consequently, these digital health initiatives fail to meet the needs of their intended audience.
Global Health Challenges and the Role of Adolescents
The broader context of declining health and wellbeing globally cannot be ignored. Most adults worldwide are not meeting physical activity or nutrition recommendations, with non-communicable diseases now being the leading causes of death globally. This trend places not only psychological and physical burdens on individuals but also financial, workforce, and healthcare burdens on societies.
The Australian federal government’s primary focus on Healthy Ageing aims to improve overall health and wellbeing for Australians aged 65 and over. However, with 45.6% of adolescents reporting a diagnosis of at least one non-communicable disease, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Asthma, or Type 2 Diabetes, it is clear that intervention must begin much earlier than adulthood to promote Healthy Ageing effectively.
Adolescents as Key to Healthy Ageing
Investing in adolescents has been described as “one of the strongest mechanisms available to safeguard the collective future of humanity.” With 3.3 million young people aged 15-24 years living in Australia, promoting good health in this demographic establishes lifelong protective behaviors that prevent future burdens of disease.
The National Preventive Health Strategy emphasizes preventive health action as “the key to achieving a healthier Australia.” However, the lack of investment in adolescent prevention may hinder progress towards achieving the strategy’s targets.
Beyond Financial Investment: Engaging Adolescents
Investment in adolescents extends beyond financial contributions. A study found that adolescents highly value their involvement in decision-making processes, which also improves health outcomes. However, opportunities for adolescents to engage in initiatives that enhance their health and wellbeing are rare, contradicting expert advice from the United Nations, The World Health Organisation, and The Lancet Commission.
The Health Advisory Panel for Youth at The University of Sydney (HAPYUS) exemplifies how incorporating young voices is crucial in shaping research. Sara Wardak, a former HAPYUS youth advisor, stated, “We want to be involved in research that is about us, but the area seems so inaccessible and unapproachable to many our age, that we remain disconnected rather than engaged.” Adolescents should not be passive recipients of initiatives impacting their health and wellbeing.
Digital Technologies as Equitable Solutions
With the technology sector expanding by 80% in just five years, the potential for its use in improving health is growing. While digital solutions may present challenges, such as accessibility to devices, stable internet connections, and digital literacy, they offer more equitable solutions than traditional interventions. At a relatively fixed cost, digital health solutions can be scaled globally to deliver accessible healthcare.
The National Digital Health Strategy (2023-2028) encourages embracing the digital revolution to provide better access to healthcare. Researchers are already leveraging this revolution, utilizing artificial intelligence, social media, and text messaging to deliver preventive healthcare to adolescents.
The Health4Me study, led by Dr. Rebecca Raeside, demonstrated a successful co-designed, text-message health prevention initiative for adolescents. One participant noted, “It (text-message health initiative) should definitely become a public thing … I’d take full advantage of it again.”
As the digital world is harnessed to improve health, it is crucial to empower adolescents to be involved in initiatives that are for them. Their firsthand experiences ensure solutions are relevant and effective, preventing a potential USD $4.1 trillion cost of inaction by 2050.
In conclusion, the investment in adolescents is not just a financial imperative but a societal one. As Mariah Issa, Imogen Croucher, and their colleagues at the University of Sydney argue, we cannot afford to neglect the health needs of adolescents if we are to secure a healthier future for all.
