A healthier future starts young

Lebanon has officially launched the “Health Trend” campaign, its first national campaign on adolescent health and well-being at the Government Palace in Beirut, under the patronage of Ambassador Sahar Salam. The initiative marks a major national milestone, uniting the Ministries of Public Health, Education and Higher Education, and Youth and Sports, alongside the World Health Organization and national partners, in a coordinated, multisectoral effort to support adolescents across the country.

Targeting young people aged 10 to 19, the campaign recognizes adolescence as a critical window of opportunity, one in which habits, behaviors, and aspirations are formed and often carried into adulthood. Investing in adolescent health today, stakeholders emphasize, yields long-term benefits not only for individuals but for society as a whole.

The campaign is adolescent-centered and grounded in evidence, responding to emerging data that points to rising screen time, poor sleep patterns, and increasing mental health risks among young people in Lebanon. In response, it focuses on key areas including physical and mental health, nutrition and physical activity, road safety, and substance use prevention.

Youth engagement is central to the initiative. A National Video Competition invites adolescents from across Lebanon to share their ideas for healthier lifestyles in their own words, reinforcing the campaign’s goal of amplifying young voices and placing them at the heart of decision-making.

WHO statement

In a statement from Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO Representative in Lebanon, he explains that adolescence is a critical period when habits, behaviors, and aspirations take shape for life. “Investing in adolescent health yields a “triple dividend”: benefits now: health, growth, and well-being; benefits in adulthood: reduced chronic disease and improved capacity; and benefits for the next generation: healthier families and societies.”

“The campaign is more than awareness, it signals a national commitment to adolescent well-being, from mental and physical health to nutrition, road safety, and opportunity,” Dr. Abubakar said. He added that WHO will continue to support evidence-based policies and programs, ensuring that no young person is left behind.

Every adolescent’s health, choices, and future matter. Investing in adolescent health is not optional, it is essential.

By bringing institutions, health experts, and young people together, the campaign aims to create safer, healthier environments where every adolescent has the opportunity to thrive, laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient Lebanon.