The YHP has a unique focus on young people and primary prevention of the most common non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart and respiratory disease, which account for over 40 million deaths per year.
Research has shown that certain behaviours that can lead to NCDs in later life for example, unhealthy eating, tobacco use, alcohol abuse - are often formed during adolescence. This makes this age group an ideal point of intervention against NCDs.
NCDs are responsible for 15 million “premature” deaths (between the ages 30 and 69 years) per year - 80% of these are estimated to occur in low and-middle-income countries (WHO).
People across age groups, genders and global regions are vulnerable to the risk factors of NCDs whether it be socio-economic, behavioural and lifestyle choices, or metabolic preconditions.