Social connection is essential for health; supporting adolescent health and wellbeing

Social connection is essential for health; supporting adolescent health and wellbeing

Author: The BMJ December 15, 2023 Duration: 48:07
In this specially curated three-part podcast series from The BMJ, we explore the importance of community and connection to foster adolescent wellbeing.   The discussion covers athe  wide array of issues young people face, with a particular focus on the unique challenges of adolescence from a social perspective. The episode unpacks the significance of having supportive relationships within families, schools, and communities and the influence of these relationships on the mental and behavioural health outcomes of adolescents.    It also explores the impact of digitalization on adolescent connection, with discussions on how to balance online interactions with offline engagements. Importantly, it highlights the need for further research into understanding digital and social media interactions and their influence on the health and wellbeing of adolescents in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.   Our guests: Ulises Ariel Vélez Gauna, Transmitiendo Diversidad Flavia Bustreo, Fondation Botnar  Richard Dzikunu, YIELD Hub Shelani Palihawadana, Young Experts Tech for Health. Joanna Lai, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEFUnicef) Hosted by Adam Levy Supported by the Fondation Botnar and PMNCH, the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health. Read the full cCollection of articles showing the importance of investing in adolescent wellbeing. 00:04 Introduction to the podcast series 00:36 Understanding adolescence from a social perspective 01:00 The impact of community and connection on adolescents 01:07 Personal experiences: growing up as an LGBT+ teenager 01:38 The role of supportive relationships in adolescents' lives 02:05 The importance of connectedness in adolescence and beyond 03:27 Treating safe spaces for LGBT+ adolescents 05:23 The unique role of community during adolescence 07:02 The impact of political landscape on LGBT+ community 07:54 The importance of community and connectedness: expert opinions 08:56 The interconnection of social, health, and educational well-being 12:14 The role of digital technology in adolescents' lives 16:56 The importance of investing in adolescents' well-being 43:18 The role of schools in fostering connectedness 45:41 Conclusion: personal reflections on connectedness

Produced by The BMJ, this weekly audio series delves into the pivotal research and urgent clinical debates shaping modern medicine. Each episode moves beyond the published page, bringing together the authors, critics, and practitioners directly involved to dissect a new study or a pressing health question. The conversation is rigorous and nuanced, designed for those who appreciate the complexity behind headlines. You’ll hear unscripted discussion about methodology, implications for practice, and the occasional healthy disagreement that drives science forward. This isn't just a summary of the latest findings; it's a critical appraisal in real time, offering listeners a front-row seat to the evolving discourse that defines evidence-based care. The Medicine and Science from The BMJ podcast serves as an essential audio companion for clinicians, academics, and anyone keen to understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind medical news. It transforms the latest evidence from the journal into an accessible, thought-provoking dialogue, ensuring that busy professionals can stay deeply informed. Tune in for a direct, intelligent, and often surprising take on the science that matters most.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

Medicine and Science from The BMJ
Podcast Episodes
How the internet hijacked our health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Deborah Cohen's new book "How the internet hijacked our health" explores the profound impact of the internet on our wellbeing. In this conversation with BMJ Editor, Kamran Abbasi, they discuss the ways in which online in…
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The class of GLP-1 agonist drugs including Ozempic gained a wide reputation for weight loss in 2025. However, it's well established that weight regain is a common result after people stop their doses. We report on new re…
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Duration: 53:51
It’s time for 2025’s festive fun! Practicing medicine can be a very visceral experience - and the English language can’t always adequately capture the sights, sounds, smells. So Matt Morgan, intensivist and BMJ columnist…
The shadow use of Gen AI in the consultation room [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:48
In this episode, we hear how Generative AI is making it into the consultation room - but not through NHS endorsed routes - surveys suggest that ⅔ of doctors are using AI, for backoffice tasks - but also increasingly for…
ADHD therapies, and the NHS gig economy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:40
There is an enormous amount of research on treatment for ADHD - pharmaceutical and otherwise. But not all of those trials, or meta-analyses, are of high quality; and not many compare the whole literature. Now a new umbre…
The Covid Inquiry - special episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:04
"Damning” and “unforgivable failures” is how some papers headlines reacted to criticism of former UK prime minister Boris Johnson in the second of 10 reports from the UK Covid Inquiry. Under pressure, in 2001 Boris Johns…