New findings on adolescent health – are they doing better or worse, and how can policy-makers improve conditions for the next generation? Concerns about adolescent health: a large number of adolescents in the WHO European Region suffer from depression. Concern is growing regarding rates of traffic injuries, self-harm and suicides. The increasing burden of chronic conditions among adolescents will put a growing pressure on health systems in the coming decades. Decisions made now by political leaders regarding the health of adolescents will shape the future of generations to come. The new Health Behaviour in School-aged Children report shows that: • drinking alcohol decreased significantly but there is now less difference between girls and boys’ drinking behaviours • tobacco use has decreased considerably across all countries. Despite these encouraging developments, there are still major issues to tackle. • Interventions for increasing physical activity have not been effective as levels are still very low. • Mental health is a serious issue for many adolescents. Multiple health complaints have increased across the board but particularly for older girls. • Although the report shows that bullying numbers are low and are decreasing, twice as many boys as girls bully others. • Body image issues have increased slightly and are still far higher among girls than boys.
“Growing up unequal: gender and socioeconomic differences in young people’s health and well-being”
The latest international report from the HBSC will be launched in Brussels, Belgium, on 15 March 2016. You are invited to attend the launch of the report findings at the Maelbeek Room, Residence Palace International Press Center, Rue de la Loi 155, 1040 Bruxelles, Belgium from 09:00–10:00, followed by a policy discussion from 10:30–12:00.