YOUTH VOICES FROM ANDHRA PRADESH

M.Ramadevi, 22 years (Makavarapalem)
Health is needed by one and all. It is useful to live happily and do all daily activities. I feel life is easy for me as I am able to do everything, without any worry or fear.

BIG HEALTH ISSUE: As a youngster, I see my peers take to many health hazards, especially substances such with drugs. There are no restrictions in the system and parents are unable to stop them from indulging in these harmful habits. I do not know how or why these addictive substances are widely available? What is worse is that people promote them, including friends and others who are much older and wiser.

M.Tatajee, 27 years (Yalamanchili)
Good health is needed to live a long life. Every morning I go to work walking and in fact, my work requires me to walk from place to place almost all through the day. I get tired on some days, but mostly it is the nature of my work that is both a boon and a bane. I eat regular meals, but being from where I am, others may think I eat too much rice!

BIG HEALTH ISSUE: All the young people these days are affected by social drinking and other bad habits. It impacts their health and they continue to think of it as fun. There is a big need to address these issues at the adolescent stage, because from then on the habit only becomes stronger and stronger.

R.Srinu, 26 years (Narsipatnam)
We cannot live without good health. Life is not as easy as it used to be, nowadays it is very difficult and despite some of the daily efforts to maintain hygiene and other such things, it does not seem to add up.

BIG HEALTH ISSUE: I feel HIV/AIDS has affected many young people, which will have a significant impact on the nation’s future. People need to know more and understand the risks they are facing. The problem is that whoever talks about it is considered to be too modern.