Mental illness generates disability in young people

Schizophrenia , depression , bipolar disorder or alcoholism are the conditions that cause disability between 10 and 24 years old. More than one billion people in the world suffer from some kind of disability and at least a fifth of them must overcome important obstacles in their daily lives, assures a report of the World Health Organization (WHO)

Within the framework of International Day of Persons with Disabilities , which is celebrated this December 3, specialists say that the future is not hopeful, because it is expected an increase in its incidence due, above all, to the aging of the population and the increase of chronic diseases.

The diseases mental illnesses are the main causes of disability among young people, according to a recent article in the medical journal "The Lancet".

On the other hand, schizophrenia , the depression , bipolar disorder or alcoholism they are the great absentees in the public health programs of most countries, an aspect that makes the scenario worse.

To the disorders neuropsychiatric they are followed by injuries unintentional (12%), mainly caused by traffic accidents and diseases infectious and parasitic (10%).

Young people represent 27% of the world population, so the disability in this age group is a very important burden for public health, more than injuries , traffic accidents and diseases infectious or parasitic as the HIV wave malaria .

For the work, the researchers took data from the Global Disease Study conducted by the WHO in 2004, from countries on all continents.

The data reveal that the years of life lost by disability among young people from 10 to 24 years old they reached 236 million, a figure that represents 15.5% of the total years lost for all ages. Across the world, the burden of morbidity was 12% higher among girls aged 15 to 19 years.

Disability risk factors

The risk factors of disability They develop between 15 and 19 years. They can cause long-term consequences of abuse of alcohol , the practice of sexual intercourse without protection, iron deficiencies, the consumption of non-potable water, the lack of contraception and the hygiene deficient.

One of the main problems is that the lifestyle at these ages does not have a direct consequence on the organism, but the results of having followed some unhealthy habits develop at later ages.

Public health programs around the world, in general, tend to focus on the health of children under 5 years of age. This age group is the most vulnerable and represents the highest mortality rate in the world.

However, as the researchers point out, adolescence and youth are crucial periods, because they establish the risk factors of several diseases and health problems in adulthood, such as substance abuse, pregnancies unwanted and the infections of sexual transmission .

 

The disability today

It is estimated that almost all people will suffer some disability , transient or permanent, at some point in your life. According to World Health Survey , about 15.6% of the population aged 15 and older lives with one, while the project on the Global Burden of Mobility estimates the percentage at 19.4%.

The same survey indicates that, of the total of affected, 2.2% have very significant difficulties of operation, while the second study figures in 3.8% people with a severe form associated with conditions such as tetraplegia , depression serious or blindness .

To make matters worse, the numbers of those affected increase progressively, attributable to the aging of the population and the increase in diseases Chronicles on a global scale.

WHO and the World Bank Group have published the "World report on disability ", which addresses this problem with the aim of providing data for the creation of innovative programs that improve the lives of those affected.

The report launches the first global estimates on disability for 40 years, as well as an overview of the situation across the globe. Based on the results, WHO urges governments to facilitate access to general services and to invest in specialized programs that make it possible for those affected to deploy their possibilities.

Stigmatization

The WHO text notes that few countries have adequate mechanisms to respond to the needs of the millions of people with disability and that they make up one of the most marginalized groups in the world.

Stigmatization and discrimination, lack of health care and adequate rehabilitation services, inaccessibility to transport services, buildings and communication technologies are some of the difficulties that must be overcome on a daily basis.

According to the recommendations included in the report, governments can take various actions: promote access to general services, invest in specific programs for those affected, and adopt national strategies and action plans.

At the same time improve education, training and hiring of staff; provide adequate financing; raise public awareness; strengthen research and data collection; and guarantee the participation of those affected in the application of policies in favor of disability .

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