September 23, 2026 - AstraZeneca today announced a new five-year phase of its flagship Young Health Programme (YHP) in partnership with UNICEF and 60 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), extending its investment in youth health equity to over $100m since the YHP's inception in 2010.
The programme, which supports young people in underserved communities, is committed to preventing conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and lung disease by educating and activating young people to make informed health choices and take action on the growing health impacts of climate change. The next phase of the YHP aims to reach an additional 10 million young people, train 800,000 youth advocates, and help shape 17 public policies worldwide by 2030.
This new five-year phase of the YHP builds on 15 years of impact. During that time, the programme directly reached 23 million young people across more than 60 countries. It helped train more than 1 million people, and supported youth advocates to positively shape 29 laws and policies. Research by RTI International found that the YHP generates $4.30 in social return on investment for every $1 invested, reinforcing the long-term value of investing early in adolescent health.
The commitment comes at a time of growing urgency in global health. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, and 70% of premature adult deaths are linked to behaviours that begin in adolescence. By 2050, a staggering 86% of all annual deaths are expected to be caused by NCDs, representing a 90% increase from 2019 levels. Many major NCD risk factors, including poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use, take hold early in life, while air pollution disproportionately harms children and young people. In addition, the health impacts of climate change are disrupting health and food systems, worsening air quality, and affecting the environments where young people live.
Marc Dunoyer, Chief Executive Officer, Alexion, AstraZeneca Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Executive Sponsor of the YHP, said: "Health should be seen as one of society's most important investments - not as a cost. That belief has shaped our $100m commitment to the Young Health Programme. We continue to invest in health equity to support millions of people in underserved communities and contribute to more resilient health systems around the world."
Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director said: "UNICEF and AstraZeneca's Young Health Programme share a vision that young people are powerful drivers of change for healthier habits and stronger health systems. This new phase of our partnership will help equip young people with the knowledge and skills to better prevent non-communicable diseases and build healthier futures."
Kristin Mmari, Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who has led a team of research and evidence collaborators since the YHP began in 2010, said: "Adolescence is a critical period when lifelong health trajectories are shaped, yet young people's health depends not only on individual choices, but also on the environments, services and opportunities surrounding them. When we fail to invest during this window, preventable health risks and inequities can deepen and become increasingly difficult to address, carrying far greater human, social and economic costs into adulthood and across generations."
Through partnering with UNICEF and a wider network of more than 60 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including One Young World, and YHP founding partner, Plan International, the YHP will support young people to build healthier habits, strengthen the environments and services that shape their health, and advocate for policy change in their communities and countries. The next phase of YHP from 2026 to 2030 will place particular emphasis on youth-led action, health equity, and climate responsiveness, recognising that young people are not only disproportionately affected by these challenges, but also powerful agents of change.
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UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF's emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children's rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.
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