UK youth to be "most infertile in the history of mankind"

By Ioana Vlad London

Young people in the United Kingdom are destroying their future health as a result of their alcohol drinking, drug taking, obesity, and sexual behaviour, says a new report. Speaking at the launch of the BMA's report on adolescent health, Russell Viner, a consultant in adolescent medicine, said, "The next generation will be the most infertile, obese, and suffer from the most mental health problems in the history of mankind."

According to the report, one in five people aged between 13 and 16 are overweight, one in four of 15 and 16 year olds smoke, one in 10 women aged between 16 and 19 are infected with chlamydia, and about 3% of women conceive younger than 20. More than a tenth of all 11 to 15 year olds in England used drugs at least once in the past year.

Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's head of science and ethics, said that the report highlighted the importance of adolescent health issues: "Young people in Britain are increasingly likely to be overweight, indulge in binge drinking, have a sexually transmitted infection, and suffer mental health problems. It is high time we provided education and healthcare services that target the specific needs of young people."

Viner is one of the few consultants in the country to specialise in adolescent health. He hopes that the report will force the government to tackle the lack of dedicated services for young people: "A coordinated approach to adolescent health that involves healthcare, education, social services, and a youth justice system [is needed] so that we can target all young people including those who may be most at risk such as young offenders, the homeless, and people from deprived communities."

The report is available at www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/AdolescentHealth



studentBMJ 2004;12:1-44 February ISSN 0966-6494