4 Upcoming Health Crises and How You Can Prevent Them

“It is health that is the real wealth and not pieces of silver and gold.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

Health crises have been on the rise among all age groups. Everyday we are being greatly affected by the changing environmental and social factors. And the lack of proper healthcare systems in most economies, especially the developing nations, doesn’t help.

We are not the only ones concerned.

In 2015, the United Nations set 17 Goals to achieve Sustainable Development in the world. One of them is Good Health and Well-Being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all, at all ages.

In total, 13 targets have been set out by the UN to promote and execute the same. They include achieving universal health coverage, improving early warning systems for global health risks, etc.

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Youth have a big role to play here. Not only we are the leaders of tomorrow, but we can undertake these targets and make a difference today. It’s our chance to act as catalysts to the current scenario, towards a healthier and sustainable future.

So, do you agree that it’s time to start caring for a healthier world? Then check these  4 upcoming Health Crises and some preventive measures you can take to deal with them!

1. Cardiovascular Diseases

Due to the changing lifestyle and environmental conditions, cardiovascular diseases and heart issues are one of the major threats to good health and wellbeing among young people. These are triggered by high blood pressure and a stagnant lifestyle, apart from genetic causes.

Stress also plays a crucial factor in contributing to the build-up of several heart diseases.

The best way to prevent these diseases is to introduce a change in the hectic lifestyle, with regular exercise and healthy eating habits.

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2. Obesity

Obesity is a form of malnutrition which has serious consequences, influencing the health and well-being of individuals.

You can think that obesity is caused by consuming more calorific energy than you burn. However, it is a much more complex and deep-rooted condition. It is triggered not only just by one’s eating habits, but also by genetic disorders, and even due to environmental and lifestyle factors.

In a way, the world is making us obese, and it’s up to us to fight it!

The long working hours which are common nowadays, the availability of junk food at a cheaper price when compared to healthy food, the comfort of getting an Uber everywhere, instead of walking a bit. All of this contributes to obesity.

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High stress level, for instance, leads to the release of stress hormone Cortisol, which in turn triggers the release of fatty acids, relocating them and increasing the appetite.

Changing your habits to live a healthier routine – with a balanced diet and exercises – will help. However, preventing obesity can be a challenge for people who have medical and genetic conditions. Hence, seeking medical advice from certified doctors at the initial stage, to rule out the possibility of any medical risk is also very recommended.

3. Mental Health

Mental Health has been a taboo in the society since time immemorial, but it’s past time to address it. Young people’s mental health is a worsening health crisis, according to Mary O’Hara, an awards winning social issues writer and author.

It has been termed as a ‘silent catastrophe’, because of the stigma associated with it. According to the NHS’ report of 2018, almost 400,000 children and young people aged 18 and under are in contact with health service for mental health problems.

Anxiety and depression have been prevalent in people under 25 years of age due to innumerable reasons, and the lack of effective treatment has made suicide one of the major causes of death in the age group.

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Seeking medical help and talking about it are ways through which the mental health of the youth can be nurtured carefully. But we can all play a role.

Noticing warning signs and behavioral changes in the people around us can help in acknowledging and addressing a problem before it’s too late.

4. Environmental Quality

The levels of pollution and deteriorating conditions of living rise every day, especially in developing countries like India. For that, it has made Environmental Quality one of the biggest upcoming health crisis in the world.

In fact, today roughly a quarter of all human disease and death in the world can be attributed to something that the World Health Organisation (WHO) defines as environmental factors, broadly.

They include not just environmental pollution, but also unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation and hygiene, workplace hazards, industrial accidents, climate change, poor land use practices, and poor natural resource management.

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Innovating and inventing sustainable and renewable sources of energy can reduce environmental pollution. Developing the health sectors of economies globally can help in reducing the risk factors associated with the diminishing environmental quality of the 21st century.

The youth of the world is taking initiative by promoting healthy environmental practices that promote sustainable development.

A healthier world can only be achieved if the youth takes initiative to acknowledge these upcoming health crises.

“Never before in history has innovation offered promise of so much to so many in so short a time”
– Bill Gates

The points you just read about threaten the health and well-being of the masses, and it’s time we all carry out effective measures to ensure that they are being adequately addressed and managed.

It’s no longer just about our health, but about the health of generations to come.

If you want to contribute to a healthier world, you can check for a position in one our Global Volunteer projects!


Written by

Malawika is a Mass Communication student from Delhi. She is an astrophile, passionate about Stephen Hawking and Carl Sagan, and loves to listen to the Arctic Monkeys, her favorite band. Find her at her happiest while exploring new cities and justifying her love for the color orange!

17 Reasons to Celebrate the United Nations Day

The United Nations, as an organization, is well known for its contribution to just about everyone across the world. They work ranges from assistance in times of disaster – be it natural disasters or those caused by the wages of war- to helping people enjoy some of the basic rights and privileges.

Recently, access to the internet was declared a basic human right, a declaration which ensures that everyone has access to the worldwide information and communication network. While this doesn’t guarantee that everyone will have the ability to access the internet, it does ensure that everyone has the right to.

The UN has been seen both as hero and villain, depending on which movie or show you wind up watching.

United Nations Day celebrates the foundation of this great organization and is a great opportunity for you to learn the truth about its past, its present, and what its plans are for the future.

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History of the United Nations and its celebration

Celebrated on October 24, UN’s Day marks the anniversary of the ratification of the  Charter of the United Nations, by which the UN officially came into being.

Coming into effect after the two world wars and the cold war, the United Nations attempted to salvage humanity from the scourge of war and the wrath of destruction.

Aside from World Peace, its role has grown to include protecting human rights, promoting social and economic development, and providing aid around the world in cases of famine, natural disaster, and armed conflict.

United Nations Day Celebrates the original enactment of the foundational charter for the UN.

This day marks the essential celebration of the values which this organization spells forth – the principles of humanity, unity, and world peace.  It’s also a date to increase awareness of the UN’s aims, projects and contribution to the world.

17 Reasons Why We Support the United Nations

On September 25th, 2015, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly unanimously adopted Resolution 70/1 “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

It was agreed that all its 193 member countries will adopt 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) to secure a sustainable future for our people and planet.

The SDGs are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice.

“We can be the first generation to end extreme poverty, the most determined generation in history to end injustice and inequality, and the last generation to be threatened by climate change.”

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

African woman - United Nations

AIESEC and the United Nations

AIESEC  firmly believes that young people need to be at the center of the global development process.  Therefore, AIESEC and the United Nations have been working together to ensure that the world that we create tomorrow is aligned with the needs of youth today.

In December 2015, AIESECers from 120+ countries gathered at the UN Headquarters to participate in the achievement of SDGs.

Being the biggest youth-run organization, with a goal to engage every young person in the world to achieve peace and fulfillment of humankind’s potential, AIESEC  was declared the official ambassador of the SDGs for youth.

Since the past 3 years, AIESEC has been working without a pause to promote awareness for the SDGs, and to create projects that directly contribute for achieving the goals. The SDGs are a roadmap to the future we all long for, and AIESEC believes that the youth has the power to change the world.

Let’s not leave it up to anyone else. It’s time to get our hands dirty and work for the world we want to live in. The intention is not enough. We must ACT.

Crowd from AIESEC holding symbols of United Nation's SDGs

National flags are a mark of pride and patriotism in every country around the world.  But there is only one flag that belongs to all of us. That blue flag of the United Nations was a banner of hope for me growing up in wartime Korea.

Seven decades after its founding, the United Nations remains a beacon for all humanity.”

 Secretary-General  of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon

 Wondering how can you make these goals relevant in your country? What can you do to bring people together to contribute to its accomplishment?

Here’s your chance! Find a project for yourself and make a change for the world.


Written by

Studying bachelor’s in biotechnology, Aayushi is a really passionate person, who loves to read and travel. She believes people, places, and stories have the power to change anyone and help them understand the purpose of life.

AIESEC at the World Conference on Youth in Sri Lanka

“We are not the leaders of tomorrow, we are the leaders of today”
– Opening remarks by Jayathma Wickramanayake, Sri Lanka’s first Youth Delegate to the UN

Last week Sri Lanka hosted the World Conference on Youth. Over 1,500 young people representing 169 different countries gathered in the capital city of Colombo for this conference which has been held all over the world every few years since 1936. The United Nations is currently in the process of drafting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the replacement for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which expire in 2015. The biggest problem with the MDGs was that there was little to no youth participation, even though youth were the ones who were responsible for carrying them out. The young people at this conference and around the world are determined to make sure their inputs are considered this time around.

The purpose of the conference was to gather youth input from all over the world to produce a joint outcome document between the government representatives in attendance and the global representation of youth, officially called the “Colombo Declaration on Youth.” This document will be taken back to the UN headquarters in New York City to be considered in the negotiations of the SDGs.

Participants came from all over the world and were fully funded by the government of Sri Lanka. Delegates included youth from marginalized backgrounds, youth leaders and experts, Sri Lankan youth delegates, national youth delegates representing 200 nations, and youth from international youth-led organizations—including AIESEC. Cassandra Ruggiero, Global VP of Public Relations for AIESEC International, and myself as the AIESEC Representative to the United Nations, who represented AIESEC at the conference. There were roughly 20 other AIESECers in attendance from Sri Lanka and the rest of the world.

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The biggest testament to the strength of the AIESEC network was that anyone you asked about AIESEC had either participated in a program or definitely knew all about it. Whether or not they were formally a part of our organisation, everyone had the mindset of an AIESECer: determined to make the world a better place through youth leadership.

Cassandra was able to step in for a missing speaker on the Globalization and Youth-led Development panel to share these values with an audience of nearly one hundred people. She was given only 5 minutes to prepare after being asked to speak on the panel, a tribute to the ability of AIESECers to adapt under pressure to any situation. After speaking on the panel, we ran a side event on “Becoming the Leader the World Needs” to help delegates reflect on their leadership journeys so that they can take the excitement of the conference back home and make an impact in their countries.

While many side events focused on presenting information on different thematic areas, AIESEC’s event stuck to a youthful vibe that allowed delegates to learn from their past experiences in leadership and start to figure out what they feel their strengths are. This was just a taste of AIESEC’s leadership development program that runs for each of their members around the world.

“By figuring out how to be the best version of yourself, you can be a better leader for the world, and have more impact in whichever path you choose.”
Cassandra Ruggiero

The Millennium Development Goals have done a lot over the last 14 years to change the world we live in, but take a moment to think about how your leadership can shape the world post-2015. There are many avenues within the United Nations to express your vision for the future, including the MyWorld Survey, but the most important thing for you to do is think about your own community/village/town/city/country/world and figure out how you can make an impact, starting today.

To read more about the outcomes of the World Conference on Youth, head to their blog

Day 1 Wrap Up: How to make Youth-SWAP more actionable

Hello everyone,

Day One of the IANYD conference proved to be a long and informative one. Learning more about the Youth-SWAP, and how the United Nations wants to move forward with making sure it is implemented is quite an intense discussion.

I spent a large part of the day with one of AIESEC’s New York based representatives Eliane, and she helped bring me up to speed with the youth initiative and what AIESEC’s role could possibly be.

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There was a lot of emphasis on what the role of youth is with the UN. The Director of the United Nations Population Fund, Babatunde Osotimehin described it nicely by saying it is now the time that the UN is talking with and not talking to Youth.

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In the afternoon we split into working groups to come up with recommendations for the UN on how to take action on their commitments. I joined the working group on employment and entrepreneurship, because I thought AIESEC had a lot to contribute in that discussion.

The conversations with the people at the table were great, but for some reason they left me wanting to hear more- not necessarily more around SWAP, but more around action. As AIESECers, we are very used to having one year to make an impact; we have to move quickly, and start implementing right away or we risk doing nothing with the one year term we have. Sometimes this leads us to have the “legacy syndrome”, where we do anything to leave our mark, sometimes reinventing the wheel when we don’t have to. But overall, it teaches us that we must move fast to make an impact.

Youth-SWAP was released in 2012, and a year and a half later, it seems it is still not clear on the actions it wants it’s member states to take. If the UN really wants to make an impact in the area of Youth, which I feel it genuinely does, it needs to figure out how to work more swiftly and smart to start taking actions that improve the lives of young people now.

I will be talking a lot more with some of the other youth organisations, but also Ahmad Alhendawi, the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth, whom is so passionate around making sure that the Action plan on Youth works! I hope that we can not only identify ways that we can make sure the commitments for employment and entrepreneurship are met, but also the role that AIESEC can play in these plans.

My question to you, and I hope you participate in this discussion:
If the overall goal of the employment and entrepreneurship focus area is to ensure greater opportunities for youth to secure decent work and income, what do you think the first actions need to be? And how can the UN and Youth organisations make this happen?

AIESEC goes to the Big Apple to participate in UN Youth Action Plan discussions

Hello from New York City!

As AIESEC International, we made it a priority this year to really understand the role AIESEC is playing as the largest youth-led organisation in the world with the United Nations, as well as with the Secretary-General’s focus on Youth.

In January 2012, the Secretary General laid out his five-year Action Agenda which laid out five generational imperatives to be addressed by the United Nations requiring the mobilization of all the human, financial and political resources available to the Organisation. Working with and for young people is one of these imperatives.

AIESEC is attending the Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development’s (IANYD) Open Meeting from the 18-20 of September with other Youth-led Organisations and Networks to understand the System-Wide Action Plan on Youth (Youth-SWAP), contribute to discussions on creating concrete proposals for partnerships between these organisations and the United Nations entities, and establish mechanisms for accountability and increased participation in implementing the strategies.

The UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth Ahmad Alhendawi with be participating in the week events to provide more information but to gain our ideas and support for the mandates he has taken by the United Nations for the Youth Agenda.

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I will be live-blogging from the conference to give you an update on conversations, but also to gain your insight and questions so I can share it with the group of experts that are here to listen to our ideas and concerns, and use them to improve the strategies and programmes for Youth-SWAP.

Check out some information about the System-Wide Action Plan on Youth HERE

If you have any questions or comments, you can tweet them to the conference by using the tags: @UN4Youth #openmeeting or tag @AIESEC or me @cassruggiero

I will keep updating you as the week goes!

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