Young people living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods are more vulnerable to specific health risks and are less likely to use and have access to quality health services.

Young people should have access to affordable, youth-friendly and accessible health services.

Public authorities should provide access to quality health services, health information services, and social services. Health and social services should be designed to recognise the needs of young people who experience multiple forms of exclusion and discrimination; furthermore the health practitioners should be equipped with the needed skills and resources to work with very diverse young people.

Public authorities should develop support services such as crisis counselling and educational programmes that seek to improve the health and wellbeing of young people in a holistic way. They should also promote sport and physical activity as a way of maintaining a healthy lifestyle inside and outside school.

Medical practitioners, nurses and community health workers who work in disadvantaged neighbourhoods should have the skills, knowledge and attitudes to work in a youth-friendly, culturally and gender sensitive way. Health strategies should be responsive to the needs of young people by directly involving them in developing and making decisions about these strategies.
 

 Read more about health (Chapter 6 - Publication Taking it seriously)