Adolescent health: Priorities and opportunities for Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) in Uttar Pradesh

The Government of India in 2014 signaled its commitment to adolescent health through introduction of a national strategy, Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK). Targeting adolescents in ages 10–14 and 15–19, the programme aims to ensure universal coverage of health information and services for all adolescents—those in and out of school, married or unmarried, and vulnerable groups. Envisaged as a paradigm shift to address adolescent health beyond sexual and reproductive health, RKSK spans six domains: nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, injuries and violence including gender-based violence, substance misuse, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This policy brief presents evidence on adolescent health from 2016 on the six RKSK priority areas, providing a baseline profile for the programme in Bihar.