The future of global health: restructuring governance through inclusive youth leadership

• Published in: BMJ global health Vol. 8; no. 11; p. e013653
• Main Authors: O'Sullivan, Brianne, Zhong, Anthony, Yin, Lillian Li, Dogra, Surabhi, Chadop, Marot Touloung, Choonara, Shakira, Wong, Brian Li Han
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.11.2023; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Adolescent; Commentary; Decision making; Funding; Global Health; Health policy; Humans; Industrialized nations; International Cooperation; Internet; Leadership; Medical personnel; Population; Public Health; Writing; Public Health; Health policy
• ISSN: 2059-7908; 2059-7908
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013653

Growing calls have emerged to reform existing global health governance (GHG) structures in response.1 2 Young people are ready to take action to ensure an equitable, inclusive and efficient future—because we are the future.3 4 Young people make up the world’s largest age demographic, with over 33% of the current population under the age of 20, and over 63% under the age of 40.5 Although there have been recent investments in youth leadership within GHG structures, the mainstreaming and institutionalisation of meaningful adolescent and youth engagement (MAYE) must be accelerated to unlock the youth potential needed to address pressing global health challenges.6 Coauthored by a team of seven young global health professionals from across the globe, this commentary maps current youth engagement structures within GHG, identifies gaps in existing practices and proposes mechanisms to strengthen existing structures. Within the research realm, the second Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing brings a renewed commitment to establishing long-term, meaningful and equal youth partnerships. [...]The Lancet & Financial Times Commission on Governing Health Futures 2030: Youth voices still largely remain excluded on the global stage and in GHG decision-making processes. [...]many youth in low- and middle-income countries face intersectional barriers to engagement, including displacement, poverty and lack of connectivity.13 Despite most of the world’s youth residing in the Global South, those who are included in global health discourse are consistently from countries in the Global North.