Mental health problems are the leading cause of disability

According to a new study mental health problems are the leading cause of disability among children, teens and young adults worldwide.
Neuropsychiatric disorders — including depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and alcohol use — accounted for 45 percent of the disease burden among those 10 to 24 years old. The next two most common causes of disability among young people were accidental injuries, most often caused by traffic accidents. Incidence rises sharply in late adolescence and early adulthood for alcohol. For other risk factors that commonly start in adolescence, such as tobacco use, low physical activity, high blood pressure, and overweight and obesity.
The researchers also found that important risk factors among young people that affect their health later in life include alcohol use, iron deficiency and lack of birth control.
 

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