518. UNICEF calls for more attention to the teenagers to break the cycle of poverty

The international community should intensify investment in teenagers want to break the cycle of poverty, especially in less developed countries, which have a very young population, UNICEF warned in a report released today. The report of the United Nations Fund for Childhood, Adolescence titled - A Phase Opportunities, addresses the situation of children worldwide.

UNICEF reveals that the world has 1.2 billion adolescents between 10 and 19 years, 18 percent of world population. The study explains that countries should begin to show the same interest in teens that are given to children over the past two decades and has enabled significant progress in combating infant mortality or in elementary school, among other indicators.

The overall mortality rate of children under five was reduced by 33 percent over the past 20 years, while it managed to put more girls in primary school, the study says. However, progress in relation to adolescence were lower and the study shows that more than 70 million young people in the secondary school are not in school, most girls.

UNICEF warns that if teens are not educated, they can not acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to avoid the hazards posed by the abuse, exploitation and violence they are exposed. The report cites the example of Brazil, which could prevent the deaths of 26,000 children between 1998 and 2008, but approximately 86 000 adolescents - between 15 and 19 - lost their lives due to violence and delinquency.

The study also shows that about 30 percent of new cases of HIV / AIDS each year there are young people between 15 and 24 years, adding that in developing countries one in three teenagers home before age 18. According to UNICEF, adolescence is the stage of life where inequalities are manifested more clearly, particularly for 88 percent of adolescents living in developing countries, noting that 81 million young people worldwide do not have a job.

The UN agency recommends the collection of more accurate data on the actual situation of adolescents and, subsequently, increased investment in education and training out of poverty. UNICEF calls for young people to encourage greater participation in public life, the enactment of laws and programs that protect young people and combating social conditions that prevent them from escaping poverty.

Correio do Minho

* * *

UNICEF reminds everyone that the fight against poverty and social exclusion begins in childhood. In Portugal it is necessary policies that allow betting on the fight against poverty and exclusion of children and adolescents, particularly those who are from disadvantaged social classes.

Adolescence (between 12 and 17 years, ie the age at which young people attending the Third Cycle of Basic Education and Secondary Education in Portugal) is the phase of life that will determine the future character of the men and women; is very important to concentrate the efforts to provide young people the tools they will need for the rest of their lives. Thus, it is at this stage of life they should bet on primary health care, including oral health.

Unfortunately, in Portugal, the overwhelming majority of young people between 12 and 17 years is not able to access to dental care and dental checks serve more advertising than they do any type of treatment suitable.

Portugal, in terms of primary health, oral health in particular, is certainly not desirable place for young people grow up in safety.

Access to primary oral health care should be top priority in the area of child health and youth. Today many hundreds of thousands of children and young people in Portugal remain without any possibility of access to oral health care, tomorrow will be men and women frustrated by living in a country where functioning health care are provided to people according to their social origin. Someone from the government that can be sensitive to the issue?

For when a National Oral Health Card?