Breakfast energy drink – Young people are not physically fit enough for work

Fit for the labor market takes on a whole new meaning in light of the warnings of three experts. According to Andreas Pollak, director of the TIW association, Dr. Eva Höltl, vice president of the Austrian Society for Occupational Medicine, and Dr. Thomas Holzgruber, patient ombudsman at the Vienna Medical Association, many young people are physically unable to successfully enter the labor market or to participate in it permanently. The experts have identified a lack of health awareness as the reason.

Energy drink for breakfast
“Some people drink an energy drink for breakfast or order a pizza at 10 p.m. and are surprised that they can’t sleep,” says Pollack, who adds: “The earlier health literacy skills are learned, the better the chances are for young people to have a positive start to their careers.” The TIW association helps thousands of young people every year by providing advice. To lead daily life in healthy ways.

And together with the other experts, the association has now developed a prevention concept:

• A national prevention strategy: A roadmap for the division of tasks, who, where and when will take on which prevention tasks and how these should be financed, including defining standards for young people.

• Efficient use of existing structures: Well-trained staff in kindergartens and schools can have an influence on young people at an early age.

• Financial support for associations such as TIW: More and guaranteed funding for associations and organisations that strengthen the health literacy of young people at an early stage, with a low threshold, tailored to the target group and free of charge.

And Pollack points out: “Every dollar invested in prevention and precautions now will yield a hundredfold saving in the long run.”