Discussion on commercial influences on youth health
Commercial influences of the health of our youth was the centre of discussions at Westmead Hospital week.
From targeted social media advertising to the promotion of vaping, alcohol and unhealthy products, powerful commercial influences are increasingly shaping the health and wellbeing of young people across Western Sydney.
To discuss these challenges, the Prevention Education & Research Unit (PERU), part of Western Sydney Local Health District’s Research & Education Network (REN), recently hosted the Youth Health and Wellbeing Symposium during Westmead Hospital Week.
Chaired by Professor Smita Shah OAM and Catriona Lockett, the symposium brought together more than 50 healthcare professionals, researchers and community advocates to examine the commercial determinants of youth health—and, importantly, what we can do about them.
Keynote speaker Professor Susan Sawyer AM from the University of Melbourne described adolescence as a critical period of rapid physical, social and emotional development, making young people particularly vulnerable to commercial influences.
Drawing on public health successes in tobacco control, Smita offered a hopeful roadmap for tackling emerging challenges, including predatory algorithms and digital platforms.
Speakers explored the many ways commercial interests influence young people’s choices and environments.
Professor Becky Freeman from the University of Sydney outlined how modern nicotine products are marketed to young people and urged health advocates to counter industry influence through evidence, lived experience and strategic communication.
A major theme was the importance of seeing young people not simply as passive consumers who need protection, but as active partners in creating change.
Professor Amanda Third from Western Sydney University called for a balanced approach to the online world. While digital environments must be made safer and technology companies held accountable for exploitative design, she emphasised that these spaces are also important for young people’s expression, education and connection.
PERU’s Caitlin Betts shared the perspective of a young person navigating the commercial determinants of health through “A Day in the Life of Sami SALSA”, a fictional Western Sydney high school student and one of PERU’s program’s mascots.
Sami’s story highlighted how young people are exposed to commercial influences in their daily life and how the digital world allows these influences to reach young people anytime and anywhere, increasing their exposure and reinforcing industry messages.
The story also highlighted how PERU’s school-based peer education programs equip students with the knowledge, confidence and skills to critically navigate these influences, while empowering them to use their voice and become advocates for positive change.
The symposium ended with a clear message: young people are experts in their own lives, but creating healthier environments cannot be their responsibility alone.
By listening to young people, working alongside them and addressing the powerful commercial forces shaping their choices, health services, researchers, schools and communities can help create environments where every young person has the opportunity to thrive.