Surgical care is critical for advancing adolescent health in low and middle‐income countries

Most global child health programs have focused on the
first 2 years of life, and the next 17 years often remain
neglected from the global health agenda, particularly for
adolescents. Over 2000 adolescents between the ages
of 10 and 19 years die every day from preventable
causes such as road traffic injuries, many of which
might require surgery.1 Surgically amenable conditions,
including neoplasms, burns, gender‐based violence,
and drownings remain in the top 5 causes of death and
disability among adolescents and demonstrate the
need to increase focus on surgical care. Of the
811 million adolescents lacking access to safe, affordable, and timely surgical care in the world, over 90%
live in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs).2 In
2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) published
a landmark report outlining the need to improve health
for adolescents around the globe.1 Furthermore, the
Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing outlined the large evidence base for investing in
adolescent health through specific intervention packages, such as school‐based educational campaigns
and vaccination programs.3 However, the role of surgical care was not included in either report.