Song Shuli, deputy director of the Communication Department of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, addresses the media training on adolescent health and development in Beijing on June 14. [Photo by Li Xuemin]

China will keep on improving media reports on adolescent health and development to foster a better environment and social atmosphere for adolescents’ growth, according to a senior health official

Song Shuli, deputy director of the Communication Department of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, made the remarks at a media training session held in Beijing on June 14.

More than 50 media representatives who specialize in health reporting attended the training.

"Healthy China cannot be achieved without healthy children," said Song, adding that health literacy is important for youth.

Song said that adolescent health and development is crucial to social and economic development, and that the media's work is important to create a good environment for it.

Douglas Noble, UNICEF deputy representative to China, pointed out that although adolescence is an important phase in life, the health and development of that age group does not gain enough attention in many countries. Adolescents are still facing problems of injuries, lack of exercise, and sexuality.

Yao Hongwen, director of the China Population Communication Center (CPCC), also delivered a speech at the meeting, reviewing the CPCC’s work in this area and saying that the CPCC will continue to support UNICEF and other organizations in promoting the health and development of adolescents.

Several experts introduced academic research on adolescent brain science and conditions of adolescent health around the world.

Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Child and Adolescent Health of Peking University, outlined the health literacy of Chinese adolescents in five aspects, including physical health and growth, disease prevention, and nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

"Improving health literacy is quite important for adolescents," said Ma. "Maintaining a healthy lifestyle from early childhood will have a pressing practical significance and long-lasting impact on future development."

Positive emotion, good psychological traits and positive social support are important to the wellbeing of adolescents, according to Professor Lin Danhua from Beijing Normal University.

She said that good education to form a sound personal character should be the first focus.

After that, firmness in academic development and psychological resilience are also important, added Lin.

Delegates at the training session engaged in in-depth discussions throughout the event.

The training was co-held by the China Population Communication Center and UNICEF.