World health statistics quarterly. Rapport trimestriel de statistiques sanitaires mondiales
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The health and well-being of adolescents is closely intertwined with their physical, psychological and social development, but this is put at risk by sexual and reproductive health hazards which are increasing in much of the world. Changes in population growth and distribution, the rise of telecommunications, the increase in travel and a decline in the family, as well as a generally earlier start of menarche and later age of marriage are contributing to an increase in unprotected sexual relations before marriage. This, combined with risks from early marriage, result in too early or unwanted pregnancy and childbirth, induced abortion in hazardous circumstances and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection leading to AIDS. ⋯ Young people generally lack adequate knowledge about their own development and information on how to get help. Those who could help are rarely trained for working with adolescents, and services which are generally designed for adults or children often deter young people from getting help when they most need it. Policy and legislation relating to sexual and reproductive health issues are often contradictory, and unclear or unenforced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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World Health Stat Q · Jan 1994
Population change, health planning and human resource development in the health sector.
As a result of the demographic and epidemiological transitions now occurring rapidly in many developed countries, a dramatic shift in the age structures of populations and the burden of disease towards the middle-aged and elderly is expected to take place over the next several decades. In the 1990s, however, there remains great diversity across countries in fertility levels and mortality patterns. The World Bank's 1993 World Development Report assessed the global burden of disease in order to define the minimum packages of public health measures and clinical interventions that would improve health conditions in low-income countries in a cost-effective and affordable way. ⋯ Such a population-based health strategy will require the development of a wide range of scientific, analytical and technical capacities, currently rare in most ministries of health. This will require the involvement of epidemiologists, demographers, sociologists, analysts, operations research specialists and environmental health scientists. Building up these capabilities in health ministries, universities or the private sector will be an essential ingredient of health system reform.