The Egyptian Society for Adolescent Medicine (ESAM) is a non-governmental not-for-profit organization registered with the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity under number 9617 on July 14th, 2014.
ESAM is the leading organization in Egypt engaged in and committed to enhancing adolescent health, development and welfare. In doing so; ESAM observes the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Right of Child (1989).
The Society has been established by a multidisciplinary group of healthcare providers having wide academic and field experience in adolescents’ health, pediatrics, mental health, endocrinology, family medicine, sexual and reproductive health and community medicine.

ADOLESCENTS ARE OUR MAIN CONCERN
It is estimated that there are almost 19 million adolescents (10 – 19 years old) currently living in Egypt (CAPMAS, 2020) while the whole Arab countries are home to more than 78 million adolescents, constituting around 20% of the total population.
This age group is the most critical and vulnerable period of life.
These young people are “building the foundation for the World’s future” (UNFPA 2013). When they realize their full potential, adolescents become a driving force to prosperity and advancement of their communities. Healthy development of adolescents is one of the foundations of the world's future, and as such, it is influenced by their environment, education, supportive relationships, and access to high quality health services. Fostering the conditions for the healthy development of adolescents and supporting their health should be a global priority.
Adolescents are facing several challenges that affect their health and development. This particularly sensitive age group requires special attention as they undergo a critical period of transition that affects their health and well-being (WHO, 2016). In addition to physical changes, key developmental experiences occur in young adults’ lives where they undergo mental and emotional maturation that include seeking independence, discovering their identity, and acquiring various life-related skills and values (WHO, 2016). On the other hand, the period of adolescence poses a threat to adolescent’s’ health and development whereby they are at a greater risk of engaging in health-compromising social behaviors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, substance use, violence and following an unhealthy diet (WHO, 2016). Investing in promoting adolescents’ health is the most cost-effective initiative a nation can undertake and is central to the success of the Sustainable Development Goals.

OUR AIM

ESAM would love to see each of the 19 million Egyptian adolescents healthy and happy. The Society is acting on both ends of the pyramid; striving for their rights and needs, highlighting their capabilities and role in national development, trying to make others provide them with better care and safer environment as well as enhancing their health, development and welfare. This will probably unleash their talents, power and great potential.
The Society believes that adolescents are not only the future of our nation; they are also so much our present.