Adolescent health

UNICEF is committed to enhancing adolescent health through a comprehensive approach focusing on multisectoral policy development, systems strengthening evidence generation, and community engagement.

Multisectoral policy development is a cornerstone of our efforts, working closely with government ministries to formulate policies that prioritize the needs of adolescents.

We focus on strengthening healthcare systems to ensure that adolescents have access to quality health services, particularly in the domains of sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and HIV.

Our emphasis on evidence generation enables us to collect and analyze data to inform evidence-based policies, ensuring that we address the most pressing health challenges faced by adolescents in the country.

Furthermore, we engage with communities and adolescents themselves to raise awareness, promote health-seeking behavior, and provide support to adolescents for their overall development.

Six million students (50 percent girls) improved their knowledge about HIV, sexually transmitted infections, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, life skills, prevention, and reduction of risky behaviors through the development and integration of the school Health Literacy Curriculum.

The first comprehensive study on school-related factors impacting mental health and wellbeing of adolescents was conducted with the support from UNICEF. As a result, a draft Action Plan on improving the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children and adolescents has been developed.

Professional Standards for Pedagogic-Psychologists have been developed and approved. 100% of school psychologists are trained on the recently developed Guidance on suicide awareness, prevention, intervention, and response in schools.

In partnership with UNECE and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, UNICEF launched the Road Safety Performance Review. This comprehensive assessment analyzed Uzbekistan’s compliance with UN road safety legal instruments and provided concrete recommendations to save lives.

In 2024, UNICEF’s Internet of Good Things (IOGT, launched in Uzbekistan in 2022) -reached over 400,000 adolescents with life-saving information. The platform contributed to increased engagement among young people by expanding access to reliable health information and creating safe spaces for adolescents to voice concerns about their health and well-being.

UNICEF also piloted adolescent girl-led initiatives focused on critical areas of adolescent health. Through the training of 400 adolescent girls as peer educators, the program empowered over 5,000 girls across four districts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan to address pressing health issues, including HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and the prevention of gender-based violence.

Through the establishment of the Internet of Good Things information platform, young people, parents and caregivers, health care providers, teachers and communities now have access to lifesaving and life-enhancing information.

UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Health in adapting and implementing a national standard for modern, evidence-based, and comprehensive medical care aimed at improving the health of children from birth through adolescence. This includes strengthening disease prevention and treatment within the primary healthcare system and ensuring the standard is effectively integrated into routine primary healthcare practice.