Half the world’s population is under 30, yet when I look around global health decision-making spaces, it’s still rare to see people my age or younger. Too often, we’re labelled as “healthy” simply because of our age. As a result, our voices and needs can be overlooked, even though today’s policies will shape our futures more than those of any other age group.
A vital moment for action: the UN spotlight on NCDs
This is especially true for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which cause 74% of deaths worldwide and disproportionately impact underserved communities. The UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health (HLM4) is a critical opportunity for leaders to recognise youth leadership as essential for lasting progress. Youth organisations, UNICEF, and partners are urging governments to put young people at the centre of the NCD conversation, because we’re not just the leaders of the future — we’re already affected by these decisions, and our voices should help shape the path forward.
Many NCD risk factors, such as smoking, poor diet, alcohol misuse, and inactivity, often start in adolescence and can easily stick for life. In fact, 70% of premature adult deaths can be traced to behaviours that began in adolescence. That’s why experts refer to NCD prevention in adolescence as delivering a “triple dividend”: better health now, better health as young people become adults, and healthier future generations. Unlocking this potential means involving young people as leaders – not just beneficiaries – in shaping policy and community initiatives, such as co-creating programmes with decision-makers, leading digital health campaigns that resonate with youth, educating peers through innovative approaches, and working alongside local governments to foster communities that support healthy living.
Young people are already leading
Despite being left out of too many decision-making meetings, young people are not standing by. After seeing loved ones affected by air pollution, Enkhuun Byambadorj co-founded Breathe Mongolia – Clean Air Coalition to tackle the country’s air quality crisis. In 2024, the group trained over 600 youth on climate and clean air and led a national advocacy campaign on air pollution policy. If we’re serious about closing the NCD leadership gap, it’s not enough just to encourage youth involvement. As Enkhuun states, “We want youth voices and organisations to be present at the decision-making tables.”
According to Aleena Khan, who was involved in NCD prevention with Plan International Vietnam, “To drive real change, young people need concrete investment: platforms to speak, mentorship, funding, and learning opportunities. With support, youth leadership can truly make a difference in NCD prevention.”
AstraZeneca’s Young Health Programme (YHP) helps youth lead
Now in its 15th year, the YHP, a global disease prevention programme I am honoured to lead, operates in 40+ countries and partners with 60+ non-profit organisations, including UNICEF, Plan International, Project HOPE, and NCD Alliance.
Together, we educate young people about NCD risk factors by training them as peer educators, providing mentorship, skills development, and access to advocacy platforms that help them grow as change agents. We’ve trained over 680,000 young people, who go on to educate peers, parents, and teachers about NCD risk factors in their communities and encourage healthier choices. So far, we’ve directly reached 20 million young people.
My message to leaders at HLM4
As the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health unfolds, it’s time to prioritise prevention, support youth-led solutions, and invest in the next generation of NCD leaders. Because if we want to close the NCD gap, we need to start with those whose lives will be most shaped by today’s decisions – the youth.
