Adolescent Health in Saudi Arabia: Policy Dimensions

Abstract

Adolescents, the building blocks of society, in the Arabian Gulf region are presently booming to result in a demographic dividend influencing all sectors including health. The Arabian Gulf comprising of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE is considered as a world resource-rich region; health needs and interventions as well as behavioral modifications are considered to be the upfront initiatives or investments by governments to promote the current and future prosperity of livelihoods and social well-being of the people. This paper focuses on the adolescent population (10–19 years, as defined by the World Health Organization) of Saudi Arabia, with the objectives of (i) consolidating the health needs of adolescents in relation to demand and supply, (ii) changing health interventions to account for adolescents’ priorities, and (iii) appraising the behavioral modification efforts by the governments in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This population goes through a transition not only from school to workplace but also in potential health risks, such as aging health status, morbidity, health-damaging habits, attitudes, food and beverages intake, and exposure to pollution and other unhealthy elements of society. Thus, this section deserves special attention of the community and broader policymaking agencies of concerned government, so as to groom them healthy and productive to the nation-building process.