Balkans: Improving Health Services for Youth

Over the past decade and a half, the Balkan countries have struggled with military, economic and political crises and conflicts, as well as a serious debt burden incurred prior to the collapse of Yugoslavia. This has left the region facing inadequate growth and declining standards of living, among other challenges. But since the end of the Kosovo conflict in 1999, the region has seen considerable improvement. Civil unrest has settled down, and the countries have achieved a political balance that is encouraging economic growth and closer regional cooperation. Regional trade links are being restored, private investment is slowly growing-and the prospects for reducing poverty have improved.

Understanding the context
Despite these positive developments, the many rapid social transformations that have taken place in the Balkans have weakened health care for the region's young people, which was not strong to begin with. The large number of displaced people stretched resources, and public health-care workers faced challenges like irregular salaries, lack of supplies, and insufficient training on health issues related to young women.

Although data on youth health and development in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Serbia are limited, UN studies suggest that:

• a quarter of those between the ages of 15 and 29 in BiH have attempted self-mutilation
• rates of depression and suicide are increasing
• more youth are abusing tobacco, alcohol and drugs
• sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise
• vulnerable groups, including sex workers, street children, the Roma population, gay men, injection-drug users, and girls and young women who have been abused or trafficked, are at increasing risk of HIV infection

The deterioration of health care for youth in the Balkans is unfortunate, because taking better care of young people's health is critical to improving the long-term health of the general population. Illnesses and risky behaviours acquired in adolescence can lead to serious health problems later in life.

Through the Balkans Youth and Health Project, WUSC and The Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH) are working together to ensure that young people have easy access to health services that are geared to them. This can also create a bridge to peace: focusing on common health issues contributes to better collaboration among ethnic groups, increased stability, and democratic development.

How we're getting results
The project's main goal is to strengthen the region's ability to develop and deliver effective, gender-sensitive, youth-friendly policies, programs, and services that ensure young people will have better access to primary health care. It also aims to help improve coordination and harmonization of health programs for youth among government ministries, educational institutions, health-care providers, NGOs and international agencies.

To achieve these results, project staff will:

• work with health-care professionals, youth and others to improve the gathering, study and dissemination of survey information on adolescent health in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina
• develop public awareness campaigns promoting youth-friendly health care
• deliver outreach programs and workshops that increase youth participation in the design, delivery, and evaluation of health-care services
• provide skills training for primary health-care workers.

Our Partners
WUSC and CSIH are working with:

• ministries of health and other key government ministries involved in youth and health policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Serbia
• public health and medical training institutions
• youth NGOs at the national, regional and local levels.

The project will also seek input directly from youth, including young women and vulnerable groups such as drug users, sex-trade workers and marginalized ethnic minorities. This three-year project is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Visit the Balkans Youth and Health Project website for further details.