No Time to Lose. Health Challenges for Adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

There are over 100 million adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean, representing about 16% of the regional population. They are a population in a sensitive period for development in terms of identity, agency, and vulnerability. The decisions that adolescents make, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they have during this phase related to their health and education affect the trajectory of the rest of their lives, highlighting their need to access timely support. This publication presents an overview of the key health challenges faced by adolescents in the region with the objective of catalyzing priority actions to advance toward a better and more equitable future for this population.