Future-proofing Europe and Central Asia: a renewed focus on child and adolescent health

Quality primary and specialist health care, access to nutritious food in and around schools, and support for families such as paid parental leave are essential to the health and wellbeing of both children and society at large. Online, the use of children's data to target them and manipulate their behaviour for commercial purposes not only undermines their privacy, but also has dangerous long-term health impacts. 5 A new Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has been proposed, to be ratified independently. 6 We urge countries to join us in advocating for this protocol. [...]we at WHO and UNICEF call on governments, civil society, and international bodies to work towards a sustainable and healthy future for all—with children and adolescents as full partners.