Viengnakhone is a public health lecturer and researcher of the Faculty of Public Health, University of Health Sciences, the leading institution that trains public health experts to serve the health system in Lao PDR.

His primary responsibilities are teaching and supervising the research of students in the master’s degree program. His current research focuses on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and the relationship between health literacy and health-seeking behaviors in adolescents. Lao PDR has the highest proportion of teen pregnancy in Southeast Asia, with 83 live births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19 years.

From his studies, Viengnakhone recognized that social inequalities in access to information and the lack of confidentiality in access to reductive health services for adolescents are significant contributors to high teen pregnancy rates in Laos. Through his research, he hopes to bring scientific evidence and adolescents’ voices into the policy process in order to bring about change that benefits the younger generation. In addition to his academic work, Viengnakhone serves on the Youth Committee of the university and is actively involved in adolescent-led advocacy campaigns through video clip contests.

He hopes to consolidate his work and looks forward to learning innovative approaches to address adolescent health challenges in the context of equity.