YHP Egypt

Overview: The YHP UNICEF partnership

The Young Health Programme (YHP) and UNICEF partner to support a global, youth-led advocacy movement focused on healthier lives, greater health equity and the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Since 2019, the partnership has worked to ensure that adolescent health is prioritised within national systems and policies, particularly for young people living in underserved communities.

The partnership is built around three interconnected pillars:

  • Awareness: Increasing understanding of NCD risks, protective behaviours and the links between environmental factors—including air pollution—and young people’s health.
  • Empowerment: Equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, platforms and confidence to make informed health choices, advocate for more equitable health outcomes and lead action on the issues affecting their wellbeing.
  • Action: Supporting meaningful youth participation in policy processes and strengthening the systems and environments that help prevent NCDs, reduce health inequalities and respond to climate-related health challenges.

In Egypt, the Programme combines youth leadership, digital engagement and policy advocacy to prevent NCDs, advance health equity and strengthen the systems that support adolescent health. As part of YHP’s evolving approach, it also supports young people to understand and act on the connections between climate, the environment and health.

YHP Egypt

Timing

2026 - 2030

Location

Nationwide

The local context

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for approximately 86% of all deaths in Egypt.1 Many of the behaviours that increase the risk of developing NCDs later in life, including tobacco use, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity, are established during adolescence. Young people can also face barriers to accessing trusted health information, supportive environments and youth-friendly health services. 2 3

Our objectives

To improve adolescent health and wellbeing in Egypt by:

  • increasing young people’s understanding of preventable NCD risk factors,
  • equipping adolescents with skills and opportunities to influence health-related issues affecting their communities,
  • strengthening access to adolescent-responsive health information and support,
  • supporting systems and policies that encourage healthier lifestyles and environments,
  • promoting meaningful youth participation in decision-making processes.

Our focus

Through the Young Health Programme, UNICEF Egypt works with young people, schools, communities and government partners to strengthen adolescent health promotion, expand youth participation and support healthier environments for young people.

The Programme focuses on supporting adolescents to adopt healthier behaviours and become active participants in shaping healthier schools, communities and policies.

This includes:

  • increasing awareness of behaviours linked to future NCD risk,
  • supporting youth leadership and peer advocacy,
  • strengthening adolescent-responsive systems and services,
  • promoting healthier school and community environments,
  • supporting policy dialogue linked to adolescent health and wellbeing.

The Young Health Programme partnership with UNICEF aims to catalyse a global advocacy movement led by young people for the promotion of healthier lifestyles. The focus is on raising awareness of key issues, empowering young people to advocate, and taking policy action to create meaningful and lasting change.

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References

  1. World Health Organization. Noncommunicable Diseases Country Profiles: Egypt. Available at: https://www.who.int
  2. World Health Organization. Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents (AA-HA!). Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241512343
  3. UNICEF Egypt. Adolescent Development and Participation. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/egypt