The series Health Policy for Children and Adolescents (HEPCA) is a WHO document series mainly based on results of the international survey “Health Behaviour in School-aged Children” (HBSC) and on other relevant international studies. It focuses on the implications of scientific results for health policy in developed countries. The target groups are politicians and experts, especially those concerned with the health of young people. The HEPCA series consists of reports on particular topics of high political relevance, including survey data on child and adolescent health, reports on specific health situations and suggestions for future investment in health policies for the young generation.

Health and Health Behaviour among young people

This HBSC report is a crucial resource in deepening the understanding of social determinants that are known to affect young people’s health and well-being. Its broad areas of focus – social context, health outcomes, health behaviours and risk behaviours – encapsulate key factors that influence young people’s health and well-being, opportunities and life chances. The report provides strong evidence and data that will support countries in formulating their own policies and programmes to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

Social determinants of health and well-being among young people

There is a growing recognition among reproductive health providers throughout the world that “youth-friendly” services are needed if young people are to be adequately provided with reproductive health care. Such services are able to effectively attract young people, meet their needs comfortably and responsively, and succeed in retaining these young clients for continuing care. Whether services are provided in a clinical setting, in a youth center or at a workplace or through outreach to informal venues, certain youth-friendly characteristics are essential to effective programs. Basic components include specially trained providers, privacy, confidentiality, and accessibility.

Making Reproductive Health Services Youth Friendly

This Policy Brief aims at introducing the reader to the topic of youth unemployment. After defining youth unemployment, it provides an overview on the extent of youth unemployment around the world, discusses some of the main reasons for, and consequences of youth unemployment, and concludes with a few solutions for how to reduce it.

Youth Unemployment in Europe and the World: Causes, Consequences and Solutions

Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) has attracted growing interest and attention over recent years. This is demonstrated and reinforced by increased political commitment globally and the development of expert guidance, standards, curricula and other tools to strengthen the implementation of CSE in practice. Across the world, there are a wide range of different approaches to delivering sexuality education; at this stage in the evolution of the field, it is timely to take stock of the evidence, practice and lessons learned to date.

Emerging Evidence, Lessons and Practice in Comprehensive Sexuality Education, a global review