Regional consultation to take stock of progress made in school health in the African Region and provide inputs into the global accelerated action for the health of adolescents, 18-21 october 2016, Brazzaville
Changes occurring in adolescence have influence on different diseases and behavior that affect health. They are responsible for the epidemiological transition, infectious diseases and noncommunicable diseases occurring immediately or in later life. That is why today, unprecedented momentum is gathering to put adolescents and youth at the centre of global health policies. This opportunity has the potential not only to benefit young people directly but also to have wide-ranging effects on the health of adults and national socioeconomic development. It is on that basis that the World Health Organization (WHO) encourages Member States to prioritize high-impact adolescent health interventions in national strategic plans that seek to strengthen health systems in view of achieving universal health coverage.
In this context, the school setting has been recognized as one of the essential platforms for the delivery of quality health services to the greatest number of children and adolescents. It is therefore proper to monitor the progress accomplished in the implementation of the school health programme and identify the challenges and opportunities so as to move forward the agenda in this area. Children, Adolescent and Youth afford us the best opportunity to operate radical changes for a prosperous, healthy and sustainable Region.
