Youth for Health Olympiad
The Horizon Youth for Health Olympiad empowers students to explore global health challenges through creativity, critical thinking, and meaningful collaboration. Centered on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.4, the competition focuses on reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promoting mental health and well-being. Participants work in diverse, international teams, uniting different perspectives and experiences to analyze real-world scenarios connected to NCD prevention, healthy lifestyles, mental wellness, and community-based public health intervention.
Open to middle and high school students (Grades 8–12), this category invites participants to work in internationally mixed teams to analyze health scenarios inspired by real issues affecting people around the world. Students examine root causes, explore scientific and social factors, and brainstorm practical interventions that are collaborative, creative, and achievable.
What the Olympiad Focuses On
The Youth for Health Olympiad evaluates a combination of:
● Critical thinking in analyzing complex health challenges
● Global awareness and understanding of NCDs, mental wellness, and environmental health
● Collaborative problem-solving within diverse, international teams
● Research skills using credible, youth-friendly public health resources
● Design thinking to create human-centered, realistic solutions
● Communication skills through presentations and teamwork
● Creativity and innovation in approaching public health problems
Preparation Phase
Before the competition begins, all participants complete a structured Preparation Phase, which includes:
1.Reviewing the official Youth for Health Handbook to understand SDG 3.4, global health challenges, and the competition format.
2.Exploring curated resources from WHO, UNICEF, CDC, TED-Ed, and Our World in Data to build background knowledge in NCD prevention, mental well-being, and environmental health.
3.Developing basic health literacy, including understanding risk factors, preventive actions, and community-based health solutions.
4.Reflecting on health issues in their own schools or communities, helping them connect global challenges to local realities
5.Preparing to collaborate in international teams by practicing communication, active listening, and idea-sharing.
6.Arriving ready to brainstorm and problem-solve, equipped with foundatio
Participation Format
Students begin with a preparation phase, where they review the official handbook and explore curated resources from WHO, UNICEF, CDC, TED-Ed, and Our World in Data. This equips them with the foundational knowledge needed to enter the competition with confidence. During the Olympiad:
1.Students are assigned to international teams of 2–6 participants.
2.Each team receives a realistic health case scenario based on SDG 3.4 or related environmental health challenges.
3.Teams collaborate to identify root causes, affected groups, barriers, and possible interventions.
4.Using structured brainstorming and design-thinking tools, teams develop a practical, community-centered solution.
5.Teams present their solution to judges through a clear, engaging pitch.
Evaluation Rubric
Team submissions are evaluated using a comprehensive rubric that emphasizes:
1.Understanding of the Issue - Accuracy, clarity, and depth of explanation of the scenario.
2.Creativity & Feasibility of the Solution - Innovation combined with realistic, actionable strategies.
3.Teamwork & Collaboration - Effective communication, shared responsibility, and respect within the group.
4.Presentation Quality - Organization, clarity, visual appeal, and strength of delivery.
5.Expected Impact & Reflection - Potential benefits, sustainability, and the team’s awareness of limitations and next steps.
Why Youth for Health Matters?
By engaging young people directly with global health issues, the Olympiad empowers them to understand the connections between prevention, lifestyle, mental health, and environmental factors. Students learn that small actions can create big change, and that their voices and ideas are essential in building a healthier future.
Inspiration Meets Action
The Horizon Youth for Health Olympiad is more than a competition - it is a platform for students led by students to take part in conversations that shape the world. Through teamwork, creativity, and compassion, students discover their power to influence meaningful health outcomes and contribute to the global mission of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
