The development of healthier, safer, more productive, and more sustainable urban communities in Bangladesh depends heavily on youth participation in urban health awareness campaigns.
In order to enhance knowledge and take action on issues linked to urban health, it is crucial to give urban-dwelling youth the resources they need to be active participants in the community's health promotion. Positive changes can be sparked by motivating young people to support policy advocacies that promote safer cities, easier access to health care, and better urban health environments. Incorporating youth in health awareness campaigns helps them become more responsible for their own health, make wise decisions, and contribute to contributing to the development of better urban environments [1,2].
Young people make up a sizable component of both the rural and urban populations in Bangladesh. Their active engagement in health promotion initiatives can profoundly impact the overall well-being and development of urban communities. It is unfortunate for us that most of our youth are not active in health promotions and initiatives as well as less informed about the health issues prevailing in urban areas rather than medical science and public health students, young professional health workforces, and young researchers.
Most of the urban young population living in urban areas of Bangladesh is not even familiar with the public health system structure for urban areas. It's crucial to provide the young people of Bangladesh with comprehensive health education and information about urban health-related issues. Workshops, online platforms, community organizations, and educational institutions may all assist with this issue -- the young generation of Bangladesh can play a key role in fostering good change and enhancing public health in metropolitan settings since they are frequently more open-minded, development-oriented, proficient in technology, and passionate about social concerns.
Youth can significantly contribute to promoting health education and increasing community knowledge on a range of health issues. To spread correct health information and encourage healthy habits, they can utilize social media, neighbourhood activities, and peer networks. Young people's leadership encourages a sense of ownership and accountability which is the most needed component for Bangladesh to address for stepping up the scale of quality coverage of urban healthcare services among the urban population groups. By collaborating with clubs and organizations for young people, health awareness campaigns can reach a wider audience and be tailored to the interests and needs of the target audience. Such organizations can engage young peers effectively because they frequently have a thorough awareness of the dynamics in their neighborhoods [3].
Our nation's youth must be included in decision-making procedures relating to urban health initiatives to ensure that their exclusive viewpoints, needs, opinions, and concerns are taken into account and to be considered those voices. The youth of Bangladesh will acquire a sense of ownership and responsibility through this participatory approach, which will result in more successful, sustainable strategies and long-lasting health promotion initiatives. The promotion of green areas, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, nutritious food options, urban hygiene- sanitation system, and lower pollution levels are just a few of the policies that youth can engage in advocating for the better, safe urban health of Bangladesh.
The nation can produce a generation that is knowledgeable about health issues, empowered to make healthier decisions, and inspired to contribute to the well-being of their communities by actively engaging young people in urban health awareness. Bangladesh must take mandatory action to secure and promote urban health and well-being for children and young people in marginalized and impoverished urban areas, which includes conducting intergenerational dialogue, supporting youth-led solutions to urban health challenges, and delving deeply into specific challenges, opportunities, and solutions [4].
To engage the youth of Bangladesh in urban health promotion and initiatives for awareness, some actions are widely enacted by experts around the globe to emphasize youth participation in promoting urban health activities. Leveraging technology is an effective way to engage with the youth population participating in mass health awareness promotion to reach a broader audience according to the experts.
It is observed that positive role models and influencers within the community can inspire and motivate the urban young to take an interest in urban health awareness, and self-initiatives to motivate the surroundings in urban settings. In studies it is stated that efforts should be made to include marginalized and unprivileged urban population groups, ensuring that health messages are culturally sensitive and relevant, along with ensuring youth participation in health awareness to reflect urban diversity. Organizing youth-led community outreach programs to raise awareness about specific health issues prevalent in urban areas -- which may include health screenings, workshops, and distribution of informational materials -- is highly suggested by experts.
According to the observations and program-based initiatives, it is found that youth can advocate for incorporating health education in school curriculums focusing on topics like nutrition, mental health, sexual health, and substance abuse. It is noted that involving young people in community-based health projects and volunteering opportunities not only benefits the community but also fosters a sense of social responsibility and empathy among youth. Engaging them in mental health promotion programs can help reduce stigma and increase access to support services, ultimately contributing to better mental well-being in cities.
Youth participation in urban health awareness programs promotes a sense of ownership, empowerment, and responsibility, which contributes to the creation of future urban areas of Bangladesh that are healthier, more productive, and more resilient. Promoting urban health among youth acts as an inspiration for improvement, creating livelier, healthier cities that put urban residents’ needs first. Recognizing and fostering young people's potential as significant contributors to the advancement of urban health is crucial in building a healthy, productive, and safe urban Bangladesh.
Sarna Samanta Mallick is a Research Assistant, Eminence Associates for Social Development. Dr Shamim Hayder Talukder is CEO, Eminence Associates for Social Development.