Health Foundation calls for joined-up policies to secure futures of young people

The Health Foundation has called for a more joined-up, whole government approach to policy-making, in order to ensure the future health of young people.

The charity said the government should address the fragmented funding streams that currently exist – and also focus on helping local councils create communities in which young people thrive.

The Health Foundation made the call as it published the final report from its wide-ranging Young People's Future Health inquiry.

In the report, titled A healthy foundation for the future, the charity sets out a range of factors that are putting the UK’s 12-24 year-olds at risk of ill-health later in life.

These range from not having the appropriate qualifications needed to pursue their preferred career and lack of confidence to not having the emotional support help them with their goals in life.

"At a time of deep division in society – not least between generations – this report brings to life the experiences of young people growing up today," said Julia Unwin CBE, who acted as a strategic adviser to the inquiry.

"It shines a light on the way we, as a society, are enabling the next generation to make the crucial transition to adulthood."

The Young people’s future health inquiry was a two-year project which explored the influences affecting the future health of today’s young people, and what needs to change to secure a healthy society.

It investigated what life is like for young people in the UK, and how they are experiencing the transition to adulthood.

The Health Foundation has committed itself to help tackle the issues uncovered in the report.

"Between October 2019 and September 2020, we will be responding to the issues raised by support further policy analysis and development in the areas outlined in this report," the charity said in a statement.

"We will also work in partnership with young people across the UK to explore what makes for a good place to grow up, how this can be assessed and the approaches that will improve their experiences."

To read the full report, click here.