Key Inquiry Question 3:
What Key Issues Affect the Health of Young People and How Can They Protect and Promote Good Health?

In this section, you’ll explore major health challenges facing young people in Australia, including mental health, risk-taking behaviours, chronic illness, and access to healthcare. You’ll use real-world data to investigate how health issues develop, what helps prevent them, and how young people can take action to protect and improve their wellbeing. You’ll also develop practical personal skills that can empower you to manage your own health and support those around you.

3.1 – Examine the health status of young people

To begin, you’ll examine the current health status of young people in Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. You’ll use data from Australia’s Health and other reports to identify patterns and trends in issues like anxiety, substance use, obesity, and injury. You’ll also consider what causes these issues, what helps to prevent them, and how the determinants of health influence behaviours and outcomes.

3.2 – Research one health-related issue for young people

Next, you’ll choose ONE health-related issue to research in detail. You’ll look at the nature of the issue, what the data says about its impact, why it’s a concern, and what protective factors help reduce risk. You’ll also explore the strategies currently being used to improve young people’s health and suggest what else could be done to make a positive difference.

3.3 – Analyse how the skills for strengthening the individual can protect and enhance the health and wellbeing of themselves and others

Once you’ve understood the issue, you’ll focus on the personal skills that can help individuals manage and improve their own wellbeing. You’ll apply these skills to the issue you researched to see how they can create real change.

3.4 – Reflect on their own personal health and health behaviours and indicate courses of action for improved health and wellbeing

Finally, you’ll reflect on your own health and health behaviours. This is a chance to be honest, thoughtful and consider what’s working well, what you’d like to change, and how you might take action. You’ll set some realistic goals or actions that could help improve your health and support your future wellbeing.

By completing this key inquiry question, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the health issues that affect young people today. You’ll learn how to interpret health data, design targeted research, and build practical personal skills that can support lifelong wellbeing for yourself and your community.