Involving young people in health research

The academic literature on young people's involvement in health research is still emerging, with most articles published in the last five years. 

• The majority of published health research that involves young people takes place in high-income countries.
• Young people are more likely to be involved in research on mental health than research on infectious diseases or the health implications of global heating/climate change.
• Most published research does not report on the background of the young people who have been involved, so it is difficult to conclude how inclusive it has been.
• Young people are most frequently involved in research design and data collection, and less frequently involved in agenda-setting and dissemination/translation of findings.
• Young people tend to have some control over decision-making in health research, but typically less than adults.

Young people's involvement in health research benefits the research, the young people themselves, and their communities. 

• Young people can better identify research questions and methods that fit their peers' needs and experiences because they understand their preferences and capabilities. 
• Those involved in research feel more empowered, have improved career and academic outcomes, and have increased understanding of health issues. 
• Young people's involvement can increase community awareness of particular problems and, in some cases, influence communities to take action to address these.

There are a number of practical recommendations on how to strengthen young people's involvement in health research.

• Develop a new standard among funders on how young people's involvement should be supported.
• Offer training and other capacity building activities to young people and researchers on how they can work together most effectively.
• Strengthen networks focused on involving young people in health research.
• Improve monitoring and evaluation by building a library of resources and piloting new approaches.
• Provide support that is tailored to young people in low- and middle-income countries, and strengthen the involvement of a diverse range of people. 
• Involve young people in internal agenda-setting and funding decisions.