Adolescents are facing a global health crisis that’s only getting worse

By 2030, nearly half a billion young people worldwide could be living with obesity or overweight, marking a sharp decline in adolescent health.

Anna Bawden reports for The Guardian.

In short:

The Lancet commission warns that adolescent health is reaching a “tipping point,” with rising rates of obesity, mental illness, and climate-related risks.
High-income regions and parts of Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East already see more than a third of young people dealing with obesity or overweight.
While smoking and alcohol use are down, progress on youth health has been undermined by COVID-19 and chronic underfunding.

Key quote:

“The rise in obesity and related diseases is not just a matter of individual choices – it’s the result of environments flooded with health-harming products including ultra-processed food, alongside policies that fail to protect young people.”

— Johanna Ralston, CEO of the World Obesity Federation

Why this matters:

Public health infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with what young people now face. Obesity, mental illness, and climate threats are piling up for the next generation, and they’re hitting young people early and hard. Without investment in adolescent health, there's a real risk of locking in poor outcomes that echo into adulthood — impacting everything from chronic disease to economic opportunity.

www.theguardian.com

Adolescents are facing a global health crisis that’s only getting worse

European, island states seek clear future for global roadmap to cut fossil fuels

As the world heats up, cities work to cool down

Idaho Surface Water Coalition says severely needed water supply ‘simply is not there’

The “clean energy” mine that could put one of America’s most pristine wilderness areas at risk

What's driving up your expenses? Many Americans say climate change

Inside the campaign to discredit a key climate science report

Why the media keep quoting the same climate scientist

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.