Health and well-being are important dimensions of youth policy in Latvia, closely linked to young people’s quality of life, social inclusion and future opportunities. As in other European countries, the main health-related concerns affecting young people include smoking, the use of alcohol and drugs, unhealthy eating habits, physical inactivity and unequal access to health services among specific target groups. While the overall health status of young people in Latvia is generally assessed positively, important challenges remain in promoting healthy lifestyles and ensuring that all young people have access to supportive and preventive services.

Most young people in Latvia report good self-perceived health; however, a considerable share of young people are physically inactive or do not engage regularly in sports and exercise. At the same time, access to physical activities and sports opportunities varies, and not all young people make active use of the opportunities available to them. Alongside this, positive developments can also be observed, including a growing proportion of young people who choose healthy food on a daily basis. In this context, strengthening health care accessibility, promoting regular physical activity and addressing addiction-related risks remain important priorities in the development of youth health and well-being policy in Latvia.