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Health themes
Young people's health.
Khayriyyah (Kye) Mohd Hanafiah

Young people's health

Young people aged 10 to 29 years now make up a quarter of the world’s population, the largest adolescent population in history. Burnet addresses 3 critical issues across adolescence: sexual and reproductive health, mental health and emerging health risks.

We collaborate with young people to design effective responses to these issues. Working across Australia and in countries such as Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Myanmar, we embody rigorous research, respectful partnerships and a commitment to health equity.

Stories

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It’s time to act on adolescent health

It’s time to act on adolescent health

Menstrual cups are safe and sustainable – but they can be tricky for first-time users, our new study shows

Menstrual cups are safe and sustainable – but they can be tricky for first-time users, our new study shows

Early struggles deter young people from using menstrual cups: study finds

Early struggles deter young people from using menstrual cups: study finds

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The importance of young people's health

Adolescence is a time of significant transition in physical health, neurocognitive development and changing social roles and relationships. 

Our research demonstrates that poor health affects development during adolescence. In turn, poor adolescent health is a predictor of significant wellbeing and socioeconomic inequities in adulthood – for current and future generations. 

We have also identified adolescence as the age when gender inequalities emerge and widen, entrenching harmful gender norms.  

Young people are coming of age in a transitory world marked by unprecedented social and structural change in politics, the environment, urbanisation, health systems, education systems, social media and more. 

This stage of life represents not only a crucial window of opportunity for intervention, but also an unprecedented chance to improve global health and gender inequality.

Co-designing to improve young people's health

Young people are uniquely impacted by global challenges yet are often excluded from research, health programs and policy.

We work in partnership with young people from diverse communities in Australia and across Asia and the Pacific. Our aim is to better understand their health needs and co-design innovative solutions.

In Australia, we developed The Gist, a program designed to help young people navigate sex and relationships.

In Myanmar, we co-designed with young people the Healthy Minds Healthy Futures project, a model for addressing mental health and psychosocial well-being. The next phase will focus on sexual and reproductive health.

In Indonesia, Myanmar and Papua New Guinea, we’re co-designing new solutions and models of health services delivery. These will tackle unintended pregnancy and other sexual and reproductive health needs. 

Collaborations and partnerships

We work across sectors, reflecting the complex interplay of young people’s lives. We work with:

  • ministries of health, health facilities and health services 

  • the education and justice sectors 

  • social welfare and child protection groups.

We also manage a broad range of country programs and a robust network of partnerships.

Globally and regionally, we work in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN) agencies and other partners. The WHO and UN agencies define conceptual frameworks and global standards for working in adolescent health. They also develop policy recommendations.

We also collaborate with research organisations, youth-led organisations, and governments in Australia and settings in Asia and the Pacific. These collaborative projects involve research and international developments. 

Key achievements

We are a part of the Lancet Commission that sets the global agenda for adolescent health and wellbeing. This work has developed new conceptual frameworks and indicators for adolescent health, recommendations to address major health needs and a new understanding of the contemporary drivers of adolescent health.

Other achievements include:

Using data and the voice of young people to bring change

For 20 years, Burnet has run the Sex, Drugs and Rock ’n’ Roll study, collecting critical data on young people's health.

The study gives young people a space to share their thoughts on current and emerging health issues affecting their wellbeing.

The study has had a lasting impact, informing policies on sexting, social media and other emerging issues.

It has opened direct channels to policymakers. Regarding access to online pornography, for example, we met with the E-Safety Commissioner about the potential for introducing age verification.

Data from the study has been used to evaluate health policies and health promotion campaigns. We track such initiatives to see if they've had noticeable effects among young people or if young people can even recall them. 

Securing the future of young people's health

We’re working to develop a platform for young people to co-lead and co-design health programs.

Driving innovation, this approach gives young people access to responsive, tailored information and services. 

Projects

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Genital Inflammation Test (GIFT) for sexual and reproductive health

Genital Inflammation Test (GIFT) for sexual and reproductive health

We’re developing a diagnostic test for genital inflammation to identify women with asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis.

MIDY: The Mobile Intervention for Drinking in Young People (pilot)

MIDY: The Mobile Intervention for Drinking in Young People (pilot)

Binge drinking is a significant public health issue in Australia, but current health promotion strategies for reducing binge drinking are largely ineffective.

Adolescent reproductive health in Myanmar

Adolescent reproductive health in Myanmar

This project provide formative research to support the delivery of life-skills education and hygiene improvements through monastic schools in Magway, Myanmar.

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Young people's health.

Please help advance the health and wellbeing of young people

Your donation will save lives and improve the health of young people in Australia and our region, the Pacific and South-East Asia.

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