Analysis of Iranian youth health policy: Necessity of action-oriented interventions

BACKGROUND: Protecting the youth and adolescents' health is considered to be an indicator of health equity. The current study was conducted to analyze health status of the Iranian youth and adolescents, identify service gaps, and design action-oriented interventions. METHODS: In this study with multimethods design conducted in 2014, first to identify and analyze the current situation, related articles and national and international documents were searched and reviewed. Then, stakeholders' analysis, interviews, group discussion, and analysis of the youth and adolescent health management system were done, and the policy document was drew up in three sections of recognition, orientation, and suggested interventions. RESULTS: The most important focus areas of the youth and adolescents' health were identified to be their behavior and lifestyle, less advantaging of primary health care in cities, and high rates of educational dropouts. Considering a responsive national structure to develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated program for educating healthy lifestyles and reducing risky behaviors and focusing on accident prevention as a first priority at the level of impact and planning on risk factors of noncommunicable and communicable diseases related to sexually transmitted infections and AIDS at the outcome-level indicators is a necessity through intersectoral collaboration and community participation strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Achieving premiere indicators of the Iranian youth health requires political commitment and support of the state, more than ever. To cooperation and utilize the capacity of other sectors to implement the Ministry of Health and Medical Education programs, establishment of the youth health commission is recommended with participation of the main partners.