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.
Growing up unequal: gender and socioeconomic differences in young people’s health and well-being HEALTH BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN (HBSC) STUDY: INTERNATIONAL REPORT FROM THE 2013/2014 SURVEY
The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study has provided information about the health, well-being, social environment and health behaviour of 11-, 13- and 15-year-old boys and girls in 44 countries over the past 30 years. The findings have been used to inform policy-making for adolescent health throughout the European Region. The report releases data on a range of new topics, such as peer relationships and family support, the school environment, migration, cyberbullying and serious injury, together with data on alcohol and tobacco consumption, mental health and nutrition-related behaviour. It provides data on gender differences and behaviour change in the 11–15 age group and highlights socioeconomic differences and variations between countries and regions. It also identifies opportunities for policy interventions, as the findings underline the importance of the wider social context and the effect it can have on young people’s health. For more information please contact: Patricia Lamaz Sanchez, WHO Representation to the European Union lsp@euro.who.int World Health Organization, Child and Adolescent Health lifecourse@euro.who.int Report findings available as app: • Do 15-year-old girls in Sweden drink more than boys? • Are boys in the Netherlands more satisfied with their life than girls? • Is there a tenfold difference in smoking frequency among young people in Europe? The findings of the new international HBSC report are available as a smartphone application. The app presents data on 11-, 13- and 15-year-old boys and girls’ health and well-being, social environments and health behaviors, as well as the health inequalities many of them face. The app provides easy access to the data underlying two reports on health and well-being in the European Region. It is searchable by country and a wide range of health topics, and connects to the WHO data gateway. Get the app downloaded to your phone at the HBSC launch event on 15 March.