Editorial: Young people’s involvement in policymaking: Perceiving young people as part of the solution and not part of the problem

This special issue is focused on young people’s involvement in shaping health and social care policy leading to improvements in health and wellbeing impact/outcomes for young people, especially in response to mitigating the effects of COVID-19. The transition from childhood to adulthood is an important, fascinating period of life. Young people between the ages of 10 and 25 need support and special services, especially those who may be marginalised. They have different patterns of need from younger children and older adults. This special issue showcases research that has helped to improve health outcomes for young people, including developing policy initiatives that focus more specifically on 10 to 25 year olds, implementing age-appropriate health promotion and early interventions, commissioning services that meet the unique needs of young people, particularly during transition, and taking specific actions to reduce health inequalities by addressing the social determinants of health in this age group. Good health for young people is central to their wellbeing, and it forms the bedrock for good health in later life. We wanted to learn about projects and approaches in which young people have helped to ensure health and social care policy is informed, influenced and shaped by the views and lived experiences of young people.