NCD Child, an international organization whose goal is to put children, adolescents and youth on the global non-
communicable disease agenda, published the issues paper Young People, NCDs and Disability: Maximising Capacity Across the Life-Course on Monday to coincide with the United Nations High Level Meeting on Disability and Development in New York.
The consequences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on health risk behaviours and the increased risk of developing NCDs in adulthood has received limited attention to date. Yet there is a strong and disturbing interrelationship, with young people who face ACEs more likely to adopt risk behaviors including smoking, lack of exercise, and alcohol abuse that predispose them to NCDs in adulthood. Likewise, children and adolescents who are living with NCDs are more exposed to ACEs than are their peers without chronic conditions. For both groups of young peope, the creation of an enabling environment where children can optimally develop is paramount.
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