NEW YORK – A stark new alert from UNICEF reveals a silent pandemic affecting the world’s children and adolescents, with over 2.1 billion under the age of 20 impacted by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) or their risk factors, while a mental health crisis claims tens of thousands of young lives each year.

The data paints a devastating picture of the well-being of the younger generation, moving beyond traditional health challenges to highlight the growing burden of conditions like mental health disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. The findings underscore a massive and often overlooked threat to global development.

Read the report:

Around the world, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and poor mental health are causing immense suffering among children and young people.

Over 2.1 billion children and adolescents under the age of 20 years are affected by NCDs or exposed to the relevant risk factors.

One in 7 adolescents aged 10–19 years are living with a mental health condition. Each year an estimated 45,800 adolescents tragically lose their lives to suicide – one of the leading causes of death in this age group.

Beyond the impact on communities and societies, NCDs and mental health conditions present a massive burden to the global economy.”

The mental health statistics are particularly alarming. The report indicates that one in seven adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 is currently living with a diagnosed mental health condition. The most tragic consequence of this crisis is the estimated 45,800 adolescent lives lost to suicide each year, making it one of the leading causes of death for this age group globally.

Beyond the immense personal suffering and loss within families and communities, UNICEF emphasizes the colossal economic burden these conditions place on the global economy. The long-term costs of healthcare, lost productivity, and social support for those affected by NCDs and poor mental health represent a significant drag on sustainable development.

The report serves as a urgent call to action for governments, health organizations, and civil society to prioritize prevention, early intervention, and robust healthcare systems capable of addressing the complex physical and mental health needs of the world’s youth. Experts argue that without a concerted global effort, the well-being of future generations and global economic stability are at serious riskl