ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the health of youth by looking at the challenge of the burden of disease with regard to this demographic category. The central argument in this chapter is that young people in South Africa experience a disproportionately large number of illnesses as a result of their precarious social position. This chapter highlights the contribution of risk factors underlying the health challenges experienced by young people in the country. In doing so, this chapter identifies important social determinants of health outcomes in understanding the social causes of poor health among young people and how best to address and promote youth health and well-being in South Africa.
