Africa-Press – Eswatini. The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has sounded the alarm over growing disparities in access to digital services among adolescents, warning that the digital divide is undermining global health, education, and equity efforts.
In a post shared this week on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Dr. Tedros highlighted the need to invest in the world’s 1.3 billion adolescents aged 10 to 19, noting their central role in shaping inclusive economies and peaceful societies.
“When adolescents are healthy, educated and empowered, they help drive stronger economies, more equitable societies and lasting peace,” he stated.
However, he cautioned that many young people, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, remain excluded from opportunities due to limited access to digital infrastructure, devices, and skills.
“These problems do not respect borders. Our solutions must not either,” Dr. Tedros said, calling for global solidarity to overcome systemic barriers.
His remarks came after the launch of the latest Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Report, presented on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly (#WHA78) in Geneva.
The report offers fresh data and policy recommendations aimed at transforming adolescent well-being and bridging access gaps worldwide.
The findings reveal that while some adolescents thrive in connected environments, millions are digitally invisible—lacking the means to engage with health information, learning platforms, or social support networks.
For many, this digital exclusion reinforces cycles of poverty, poor health outcomes, and limited future prospects.
Dr. Tedros reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to the principle of #HealthForAll, insisting that adolescent inclusion must be at the heart of national and global development plans.
“We must do more to reach every adolescent with the tools, services, and support they need to thrive,” he said.
Health and education experts warn that without targeted investment in digital access and literacy, inequality will deepen.
They urge countries to prioritise affordable connectivity, adolescent-focused digital education, and community-level solutions to ensure no young person is left behind.
As health systems increasingly integrate technology into service delivery, WHO and its partners are pushing for more inclusive strategies—reminding the world that equitable progress depends on how it treats its youngest citizens in both physical and digital spaces.
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