As medical practitioners and supporters of medicine at The University of Sydney, many of us have experienced first hand a great challenge – treating the health problems of children and young adults. What makes our work even more difficult is knowing that in many cases there is more that can be done. It is sobering that seventy five percent of teenage deaths are from preventable causes.

Research shows that the leading causes of death and illness in the 12-24 age group are:

At least twenty percent of young people have a chronic illness. Adolescence is a time when health problems, both physical and mental, can first develop or become exacerbated. The additional external social pressures and influence of peers during this period can be particularly destabilising for many young people coping with chronic illness.

Our Faculty, Australia's oldest and largest, is nevertheless limited in our resources. The teaching and research we undertake is the largest and most comprehensive grouping of health and medical education research in the southern hemisphere. We make a major contribution to the health of the population through the delivery of clinical care in the more than 40 teaching hospitals associated with the Faculty.

With your support our groundbreaking research activities can change and improve lives.

A gift from you today will have a positive impact towards helping the youth of the world – our future. We encourage you to take part in this year's Annual Fund to support research at the University, our staff and students – helping us save young lives.