Main trends in the health conditions of young people

This section provides the context for recent trends in the health status of young people in Greece, as derived from national and international research data: 

According to a European Union survey for 2021 based mainly on national official statistics provided to Eurostat and the OECD, which showed that the health status of the Greek population is good and life expectancy is higher than the European average. Extensive health system reforms have been underway since 2010, including the strengthening and expansion of public primary care services. Emphasis on prevention and treatment of risk factors was also strengthened through a new national public health plan. Challenges remain in ensuring accessibility and affordability of care, particularly due to high out-of-pocket payments from patients and the impact of the pandemic. 

Alcohol consumption: Occasional binge drinking in 2019 was reported by only 6% of Greek adults, which is one of the lowest levels among EU countries. Men report engaging in occasional binge drinking more often than women (9% vs. 3 %). As for teenagers, the proportion of 15-year-olds who report that have been drunk at least twice in their lifetime has been fairly stable over the past two decades, standing at approximately 20% in 2018 — lower than in most EU countries.

Drug addiction: According to the 2024 report of the National Centre for Documentation and Information on Drugs, The Current Situation of Drug Abuse and Alcohol Consumption in Greece, the use of cannabis at least once in a lifetime is reported by one in thirteen (8.0%) adolescents, a percentage similar to that observed four years ago. However, the overall trend in the prevalence of cannabis use among 16-year-olds in Greece has been increasing over time. According to the same report, there has also been a long-term increase in the proportion of 16-year-olds who report that “several, most, or all” of their friends use cannabis. Taken together, these findings indicate that cannabis use is gradually becoming more widespread among the adolescent population. If this trend continues, it is expected to contribute to an increase in the number of young adults seeking treatment in specialised services in the near future due to problems related to cannabis use or, through it, the use of other substances.

Although opioids (mainly heroin) remain the most frequently reported primary substance of use at entry into treatment (46.7%), both their number and proportion have been steadily declining in recent years. In contrast, the number of treatment entries related to cocaine and other stimulants has been steadily increasing, as has the use of substances such as benzodiazepines, “speedball”, new synthetic drugs and hallucinogens.

Indicatively, treatment requests reporting cocaine or other stimulants as the primary substance increased in 2022 by 62% compared with five years earlier and by 186% compared with ten years earlier. This indicates significant changes in patterns of substance use within the community and therefore the emergence of new and insufficiently mapped health risks. It also has important implications, most notably the need to adapt treatment services to the needs of people using these substances, as treatment structures were traditionally designed to address problems related mainly to opioid use.

Tobacco smoking

Tobacco smoking: One in two (53.8%) 16-year-old students (first year of upper secondary school) in Greece has tried a tobacco product, while one in three (32.9%) smoked in the last month.

A significant increase in the use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) and heated tobacco products has been observed over the past five years, interrupting the declining trend in traditional smoking recorded up to 2019.

Gender differences are also observed:

• Girls report higher use of electronic cigarettes/vaping,

• Boys report higher rates of heavy daily smoking, as well as higher use of waterpipe (hookah) and snus.

Four out of five adolescents consider access to tobacco products to be “easy”, while almost half underestimate the risks associated with smoking, particularly in relation to newer products. Adolescents from families with relatively lower socioeconomic status tend to smoke more frequently, at earlier ages and more intensively. Overall, Greece ranks above the European average in almost all smoking indicators, with increasing trends over time, in contrast to the declining trends recorded in most ESPAD countries. 

Sexual abuse: According to a survey, 65% of women in Greece state that they have been a victim of sexual harassment or abuse, with workplaces and street incidents being the most common places where attacks are experienced. 

In 2021, the Greek ##MeToo movement made its appearance in Greece, revealing numerous incidents of gender-based sexual violence. These revelations started with public figures showing how it can happen to every girl and every woman, thus encouraging others to speak up. In Greece like internationally, through this move, the need arose noticeably for both society and the state to reflect even more seriously on the phenomenon of sexual violence and to increase their mobilization for its combat. 

Obesity: Around one out of six adults (16 %) was obese in Greece in 2019—a percentage higher than the one in Italy (11 %) or France (14 %), but similar to the percentage in other Mediterranean countries such as Cyprus (15 %), Spain (15 %) and Portugal (17 %) and equal to the EU average. In contrast, more than one out of five 15-year-olds was overweight or obese in Greece in 2018, which is higher than in most other EU countries and has significantly increased compared to the period 2001-2002. Boys are more likely to be overweight or obese compared to girls. 

In Greece, like in other countries, poor nutrition is the main factor of being overweight or obese. About half of the adults reported eating fruits and vegetables on a daily basis in 2019, a percentage that is relatively lower than in many other EU countries. In addition, less than one out of three 15-year-olds reported eating vegetables on a daily basis and only about one out of four 15-year-olds reported eating fruit on a daily basis in 2018. Low physical activity also contributes to obesity. While two-thirds of adults reported doing at least some moderate physical activity every week in 2014, only one out of eight 15-year-olds reported doing moderate to vigorous physical activity on a daily basis in 2018.

Main concepts

The main concepts used regarding the issue of Health and Well-being come from the definitions of the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as from the Greek legislation. 

Health: is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. 

Mental health: defined as a state of well-being in which each person realizes his own potential, can cope with the ordinary stress of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his community. 

Disease prevention: Disease prevention covers not only measures aimed at preventing the occurrence of diseases, such as mitigating risk factors, but also measures to halt the progression of a disease and reduce its effects once it occurs. 

Public Health: Public health is the science and art of promoting and improving health, preventing disease, and prolonging life through organized efforts of government action. 

Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional and mental well-being related to sexuality, not simply the absence of disease, dysfunction or disability. 

Sexual rights: The application of existing human rights to sexuality and sexual health constitute sexual rights. Sexual rights protect all people's rights to fulfill and express their sexuality and enjoy sexual health, with due respect for the rights of others and within a framework of protection against discrimination. 

Reproductive health: is a state of complete physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in all matters related to the reproductive system, its functions and related not merely to the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity.