Implementation Framework for Adolescent-Responsive Health Systems in the WHO South-East Asia Region (2026–2030)

Overview

Adolescence is a critical developmental stage marked by rapid physical, psychological and social transitions. Further, there is a substantial body of evidence that demonstrates that investments in adolescent health yields a “triple dividend” – immediate health gains, improved adult health outcomes and intergenerational benefits. The WHO South-East (SE) Asia Region is home to approximately 315 million adolescents aged 10–19 years, representing 17% of the regional population and 24% of the global adolescent population. Despite progress in policy development and expansion of adolescent-friendly health services (AFHS), the adolescent population continues to face a significant burden of mortality and morbidity. Persistent inequities, social determinants and system-level gaps limit equitable access to quality services.

A WHO-led regional assessment, completed in 2024 by the national ministries of health and partners, identified critical gaps across the WHO health system blocks. The findings, combined with updated adolescent-specific data extracted from the global health database, provided credible evidence on the policy and health system gaps in the regional countries. These efforts resulted in the adoption of the “Ministerial Declaration on Adolescent-Responsive Health Systems” at the Seventy-seventh Session of the Regional Committee for South-East Asia in 2024, wherein the Member States committed to strengthening policies, resources and services tailored to the unique health needs and rights of adolescents for achieving the vision and goal for universal health coverage (UHC).