Promoting physical, mental, and social health during adolescence: a position statement and recommendations
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Adolescence is a critical period of physical, psychological, and social development that shapes health trajectories across the life course. Despite its importance, adolescent health remains insufficiently prioritized within healthcare systems, while young people face increasingly complex challenges, including mental health disorders, sexually transmitted infections, social inequalities, climate change, and the deep influence of digital technologies. Although technology offers unprecedented opportunities to improve access to health information and care, it also introduces new risks that require coordinated, evidence-based responses. This position statement and its accompanying recommendations draw on the proceedings of an international workshop held in Athens in November 2025, organized by the International Academy of Human Reproduction and endorsed by leading international scientific societies. The statement addresses the biological, psychological, social, and gynecological challenges affecting adolescents in an evolving technological landscape. Its recommendations emphasize adolescent-responsive health systems, meaningful youth engagement, equitable access to care, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Investing in adolescent health represents a strategic priority, generating immediate benefits during adolescence while improving adult health and promoting better outcomes for future generations.
Source: Gynecological Endocrinology
Authors: Andrea R. Genazzani, Tiziana Fidecicchi, Martin Birkhaeuser, Efthimios Deligeoroglou, Özlem Dural, Shantha Kumari, Marisa Labovsky, Mary Romano, Flora Bacopoulou, Sarah Berga, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Johannes Bitzer, Zana Bumbuliene, Marta Caretto, George P. Chrousos, Metella Dei, Giancarlo Di Renzo, Alessandra D. Fisher, Christa E. Flück, Anna Maria Fulghesu, Alessandro D. Genazzani, Mie S. Jorgensen, Abel Lopez-Bermejo, Stefano Luisi, Blazej Meczekalski, Liselotte Mettler, Rossella E. Nappi, Kyle Orwig, Lali Pkhaladze, Inon Schenker, Joseph Schenker, Zoran Stankovic, Charles Sultan, Artemis Tsitsika, Silvia Vannuccini, Svetlana Vujovic, Tevfik Yoldemir, Peter Chedraui, Anne Kihara
Institutions: University of Pisa, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, University of Bern, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mitera Hospital, Istanbul University, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Children's Hospital Agia Sophia, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Hospital for Sick Children, University Hospital of Basel, Vilnius University, UNESCO, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Sechenov University, University Hospital of Bern, University of Cagliari, University of Copenhagen, Næstved Sygehus, Midt- og Vestsjællands Hospital, Universitat de Girona, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Girona, Hospital Universitari de Girona Doctor Josep Trueta, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Pavia, University of Pittsburgh, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Impact, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Medical Center, Euromedik, Université de Montpellier, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, University of Florence, University of Belgrade, Marmara University, Universidad Espíritu Santo, International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225732970