Pan-American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) representative to Jamaica, Margareta Skold, says there is need for an increase in preventive and promotional actions to discourage young people from engaging in dangerous lifestyle behaviours.

"Adolescence is a time of experimentation. Many of today's and tomorrow's leading causes of death, disease and disability can be significantly reduced by preventing risk behaviour initiated in youth," she stated.

Skold, who was addressing the launch of 'Caribbean Wellness Day 2012' recently at the Ministry of Health's downtown Kingston offices, made the comments against the background of a survey, which found that young people across the globe, including Jamaica, are actively participating in high- risk behaviours.

The 2010 Global Health SchoolSurvey was conducted among 1,623 students in grades seven to 12, and measured alcohol use, dietary behaviours, drug use, mental health, tobacco use, and violence.

In the category of alcohol use, the survey revealed that in Jamaica, some 80.2 per cent of young people had their first alcoholic drink before the age of 14 years. It also showed that 79.9 per cent of students had their first experience of drug use before they were 14 years old.

Skold said the survey offered 'sobering findings' and showed that many young people were in need of positive influences, not only at home, but also in their school environment.

She argued that the school setting offers some of the best opportunities for positively influencing the health of young people and preventing the initiation of the health-risk behaviours.

"Education and health support enhance each other, neither is possible alone. Together they serve as a foundation for a better world," she remarked.

Skold noted that an effective school programme can be one of the most cost-effective investments a nation can make to simultaneously improve education and health.