Despite Australia being a wealthy, developed country, many aspects of the health and wellbeing of our young people have been declining. Over the past 30 years there have been major increases in many childhood diseases and disabilities, including mental health disorders, diabetes, behavioural problems, and neurological and developmental problems such as cerebral palsy and autism.

We are also seeing increases in illicit drug use, juvenile crime, the number of children living in poverty and other social and environmental factors that impact on young people's wellbeing.

Children and young people have the right to a healthy start in life. And with your support, the next decade could be remembered as a moment in history when millions of Australians came together to make a difference, to bring about change.

Some Eye-Opening Facts:

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  • Each year there are over 50,000 youth suicide attempts
  • Suicide is the single largest cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds?
  • There were 21,940 homeless young Australians between 12 and 18 in 2006.
  • 30,000 Australian children were proven to have been abused or neglected in the past year.
  • 6,500 young people with high care needs are living in residential aged care.
  • 25% of young people aged 20-25 are not in full-time work or study.
  • Human trafficking is now the 2nd largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world.  It is estimated that 1.8m children across the world are trafficked for sex in virtually every country including our own. Some of these children are as young as 5 years old.
  • 21% of kids under 17 are drinking alcohol weekly and 1/3 of 12-17 year old drinkers are consuming at harmful levels despite growing evidence that alcohol causes irreparable damage to the growing brain.

sources: ABS, Childwise www.childwise.net; Social Ventures Australia, the Foundation for Young Australians, Australian Drug Research Foundation; NAPCAN www.napcan.org.au  Australian Research Alliance for Children and Young People www.aracy.org.au.