YHP Indonesia

Overview: The YHP UNICEF partnership

The Young Health Programme (YHP) and UNICEF partner to support a global movement of young people advocating for healthier lives 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.

The collaboration is built around three pillars:

  • Awareness: Increasing understanding of NCD risks and protective behaviours.
  • Empowerment: Equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to shape their health and wellbeing.
  • Action: Supporting youth engagement in policy processes and strengthening systems that enable healthier environments.

In Indonesia, this model combines digital engagement, youth leadership and policy advocacy to strengthen adolescent health and support the prevention of non-communicable diseases.

YHP Indonesia

Location

Nationwide

Timing

2021 - 2030

The local context

NCDs are a major public health challenge in Indonesia, with many risk factors beginning during adolescence. Tobacco use among young people remains a significant concern, alongside unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and environmental health risks.1

Indonesia continues to have one of the world’s highest smoking rates, and young people are heavily exposed to tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Preventing harmful behaviours during adolescence is critical to improving long-term health outcomes and reducing future NCD burden.2

Our focus

Through the Young Health Programme, UNICEF Indonesia works with young people, communities and government stakeholders to strengthen adolescent health promotion, youth participation and policy action on NCD prevention.

Our objectives

To improve adolescent health and wellbeing in Indonesia by:

  • Increasing awareness of preventable NCD risk factors among young people.
  • Strengthening young people’s capacity to advocate for healthier communities and environments.
  • Improving adolescent-responsive health information and services.
  • Supporting stronger policies and systems that protect young people from NCD risk factors, particularly tobacco use.
  • Promoting meaningful youth participation in health policy and decision-making.

Our programme

Implemented by UNICEF Indonesia as part of the wider YHP-UNICEF partnership, the programme combines digital engagement, youth advocacy and systems strengthening to support adolescent health and NCD prevention.

The Programme works with young people, schools, healthcare providers and policymakers to promote healthier lifestyles, strengthen youth participation and improve adolescent-responsive systems and policies.

1. Awareness

UNICEF contniues to invest in programmes that raise awareness around NCD prevention among adolescents and young people.

In 2025:

Through U-Report*, the FunDoo chatbot series reached 44,312 users with interactive information on tobacco prevention, emotional wellbeing and healthy behaviours linked to NCD prevention. Young U-Reporters also shared FunDoo content with their peers through the FunDoo Squad initiative.

The pilot Youth Health Check - part of Indonesia’s national School Health Screening Programme - reached 25,226 young people, combining routine health screening with age-appropriate health information and prevention messaging.

Youth 4 Health IMPACT supported 70 young people to create innovative projects focused on smoking prevention and climate-related health risks. Their initiatives reached 2,632 young people.

As part of World No Tobacco Day 2025, 362 medical students and young ambassadors led discussions and awareness activities that reached 9,856 young people.

* U-Report is a free, anonymous digital community and social messaging tool developed by UNICEF to empower young people to voice their opinions, access information, and drive change.

2. Empowerment

The Programme strengthens young people’s leadership, advocacy and participation in adolescent health systems and policymaking.

In 2025, 97 young representatives participated in Young Health Leadership Bootcamps, receiving training in leadership, advocacy and policy engagement.

A total of 232 young people contributed to the review of Adolescent Friendly Health Services, providing feedback to health authorities to help strengthen adolescent-responsive care.

30 young people also contributed to consultations on adolescent health guidelines and Indonesia’s national adaptation of the GAMA framework, helping ensure youth perspectives informed policy recommendations and health system improvements.

Young activists were also selected to represent Indonesia at the Global NCD Alliance Forum in Kigali, strengthening youth participation in global NCD advocacy discussions.

In addition, 11 students participated in pilot testing the Youth Health Check implementation guidelines, contributing to improvements in counselling quality and referral pathways.

3. Action

The Programme supports youth engagement in policy dialogue and systems strengthening to improve adolescent health environments in Indonesia.

In 2025, the Youth Health Check was integrated into the government’s Quick Win programme and launched nationwide. This marked an important step towards standardising preventive adolescent healthcare within schools and healthcare systems.

The Programme also contributed to strengthened tobacco control regulations in Indonesia, including measures to raise the minimum purchasing age for tobacco products and restrict tobacco sales around schools. Tobacco use screening was also integrated into school and healthcare settings.

UNICEF additionally supported the adoption of Indonesia’s national GAMA framework by facilitating consultations with young people and supporting the identification of priority gaps and practical actions to strengthen adolescent-responsive health environments.

The wider YHP-UNICEF partnership also contributed to stronger protections for adolescents from tobacco marketing and harmful substances through youth-driven advocacy and policy engagement.

Our achievements

Key programme achievements in 2025 included:

  • 82,458 young people directly reached through programme activities.
  • 370 young people trained as Peer Educators and advocates for NCD prevention.
  • Two policy actions achieved to strengthen adolescent health and tobacco control.
  • 44,312 users reached through the FunDoo chatbot series.
  • 25,226 young people reached through the Youth Health Check pilot.
  • 232 young people contributed to the review of Adolescent Friendly Health Services.
  • 97 young people trained through Young Health Leadership Bootcamps.
  • Youth advocates engaged in national and subnational tobacco control discussions and policy engagement.
  • Smoking prevalence among 10–18-year-olds in Indonesia declined from 9.1% in 2018 to 7.4% in 2023.

Programme impact

The Programme has strengthened youth participation in adolescent health advocacy and increased young people’s engagement in NCD prevention initiatives across Indonesia.

Youth-led advocacy has contributed to stronger tobacco control measures and increased attention to adolescent health within national policy and health system reforms. The integration of the Youth Health Check into the government’s national Quick Win programme represents an important step towards strengthening preventive adolescent healthcare in schools and communities.

The Programme has also strengthened adolescent-responsive approaches within digital platforms, schools and primary healthcare services, helping expand access to health information, participation and support for young people.

Our partner

UNICEF

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.

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.

References:

1. WHO: NCD Country Profile, 2018 https://www.who.int/nmh/countries/2018/idn_en.pdf?ua=1  

2. WHO: NCD Country Profile, 2014 https://www.who.int/nmh/countries/2014/idn_en.pdf?ua=1 

3. WHO: NCD Country Profile, 2011 https://www.who.int/nmh/countries/2011/idn_en.pdf?ua=1

4. WHO: NCD Country Profile, 2018 https://www.who.int/nmh/countries/2018/idn_en.pdf?ua=1