PAHO convenes regional webinar on evidence to strengthen early adolescent health and later health outcomes

Washington, D.C., September 10, 2026 (PAHO)- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Global Early Adolescent Study (GEAS) network, convened a regional webinar, "Understanding and addressing early adolescence through evidence," bringing together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and youth advocates from across Latin America and the Caribbean. The webinar presented global and regional evidence from GEAS and highlighted experiences and findings from Brazil, Chile, and Jamaica.

Early adolescence, between the ages of 10 and 14, is a critical developmental period in which puberty, brain development, and social changes occur simultaneously. Yet, this stage of the life course is often overlooked.

"Today's webinar goes beyond presenting research experiences and results. It's an opportunity to consider how evidence can be translated into action, into better policies, more responsive programs and services, and stronger multi-sectoral approaches that enable young adolescents not simply to avoid poor health outcomes, but to develop, participate, and thrive." said Dr. James Fitzgerald, Director of the Health Systems and Services Department (HSS) at PAHO, in his opening remarks.

The Global Early Adolescent Study

The GEAS is a longitudinal, mixed-methods study that has followed young people since 2014 across diverse settings to better understand how gender norms and social environments shape health and development from early adolescence onward. The study was initially implemented in Ecuador and Bolivia and is currently being conducted in Chile, Jamaica, and Brazil.

Dr. Kristin Mmari, co-principal investigator of the GEAS, presented an overview of the study and its major findings, highlighting how gender norms begin to diverge early in adolescence and can shape later health and well-being. Drawing on lessons from GEAS, she outlined five priorities for translating evidence into action: starting earlier, looking beyond risk, working across systems, engaging influential adults and institutions, and partnering meaningfully with young people.

Regional experiences from Chile, Brazil, and Jamaica

Moderated by Dr. Daniel Antiporta, International Advisor at PAHO/WHO in Ecuador, the first panel brought together researchers implementing GEAS across the Region.

Dr. Matilde Maddaleno Herrera, Director, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago, described implementation across 10 urban schools in Santiago beginning in 2019. She discussed how pandemic-related school closures affected the original 12-school sample and highlighted lessons on building institutional trust through clear communication, balancing adolescent autonomy with standardized consent procedures, and ensuring strong local research teams.

Dr. Abigail Harrison, Head of the Department of Child and Adolescent Health, University of the West Indies, presented findings from 560 early adolescents across urban and rural communities in Kingston and St. Andrew. She described challenges related to the pandemic, funding, and parental concerns around gender-related terminology, as well as strategies including digitized materials, WhatsApp communication with parents, and measures to promote student safety during after-school activities.

Dr. Cristiane da Silva Cabral, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, discussed how the study methodology was adapted to a home-based approach during the COVID-19 pandemic, ultimately reaching 1,000 adolescents through a gender-balanced sample.

These findings underscore the importance of approaches that address the needs and experiences of both girls and boys during early adolescence.

Implications for policies and programs

A second panel explored how evidence from GEAS can inform policies and programs to strengthen the health and well-being of young adolescents across the Region.

• Dr. Aysa Saleh, Regional Gender Advisor at PAHO/WHO, emphasized the need for gender-responsive programming that begins earlier and goes beyond a focus on pregnancy prevention.
• Ms. Cilandell Glen, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Coordinator, Ministry of Health, Guyana, shared experiences in extending school health programs to younger children, including challenges related to ethics and parental engagement.
• Bruna Nunes, Adolescent Health Coordinator, Ministry of Health, Brazil, highlighted the importance of integrated, territory-responsive approaches within the national health system.
• Dr. Maria del Carmen Calle, President of the International Association for Adolescent Health (IAAH), outlined opportunities to strengthen policy advocacy and expand the use of GEAS measurement tools across the Region.
• Mackdiel Romero, member of the PAHO Youth for Health Group, emphasized the importance of creating safe, age-appropriate spaces for young people to participate meaningfully in policymaking.

The webinar reinforced the importance of investing in early adolescence and ensuring that policies, programs, and research respond to the realities, needs, and voices of young people, highlighting this stage as a unique opportunity to promote health and well-being to support the full development of adolescents across the Region.