Young adulthood: a transitional period with lifelong implications for health and wellbeing

Young adulthood is a crucial period involving significant life transitions, such as completing education, entering the workforce, and starting a family. Young adulthood broadly spans from 16 to 40 years of age, and physiological changes and social vulnerability emerging during this formative period of life may have long-lasting effects on health and social trajectories. In addition, many noncommunicable diseases start to emerge during this life phase, especially among vulnerable subgroups. This aligns with life course theory, which provides a framework for understanding how exposures and experiences throughout life, including life transitions such as the shift to adulthood, contribute to health, disease, and social integration throughout life [1]. This framework considers the lifelong interplay between biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors, making young adulthood an important period for intervention.

Despite the critical nature of this life period, it is often underrepresented in scientific literature. Funding streams frequently prioritize research on aging, while young adult health issues receive comparatively less attention. This disparity may be partially attributed to the lower prevalence of somatic chronic disorders in young adults compared to older cohorts. However, we contend that several key issues specific to this age group warrant further investigation. Below, we present some examples that underscore the importance of dedicated research into young adult health issues.