The health of adolescents in Papua New Guinea requires urgent attention. At stake is the health and wellbeing of a sizeable proportion of a generation. Adolescence is defined by the World Health Organization as occurring between the ages of 10 and 19 years. For many this can be a time of working through issues and progressing their education to become happy, well-rounded adults. But young people without adequate guidance and education are vulnerable to negative influences and risk-taking, and these can have adverse consequences for health and wellbeing in the short and long term. Many adolescents with chronic mental or physical health currently do not get the services they need. This paper briefly outlines disease burdens for adolescents, and the challenges for health and education services.