Young people in Britain are more likely to die from asthma than those in other wealthy countries, a new study has revealed.
Death rates for asthma in 10 to 24-year-olds were higher in the UK than 14 European nations included in the survey.
Britain also had the highest obesity rates for 15 to 19-year-olds among the European nations, the study found.
The government said it had “world’-leading” plans for children’s health.
The Nuffield Trust think tank and Association for Young People’s Health study examined and looked at 17 measures of health and wellbeing for 10 to 24-year-olds in countries that included Germany, France and Italy, as well as Japan, the US and Australia.
Results from the study suggested young British people make healthier choices, like opting to drink and smoke less, but are entering adulthood with long-term health conditions.
It estimated that one fifth of young people in the UK are living with a health condition, such as type 2 diabetes.
The report pointed towards poverty as one of the causes for poor health, and made recommendations on it.
It read: “Despite living in the world's fifth largest economy, young people aged 20 to 24 in the UK are experiencing one of the highest rates of severe material deprivation among the countries in our international comparison.
"Reducing poverty among young people is key to improving their health outcomes in the UK."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: "We have world-leading plans in place to safeguard child health by combating obesity, improving mental health and vaccinating against some of the world's deadliest diseases.
"Prevention is at the heart of the NHS Long Term Plan, and as part of this we are increasing funding by an average 3.4% per year, meaning that by 2023-24 it will receive £20.5bn a year more than it currently does."
