Health promotion in childhood largely determines health status throughout life
Vienna (OTS) – The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Secretariat for Youth, today published the updated child and youth health strategy. It serves as the basis for all political measures that are intended to sustainably improve the health of young people in Austria. The latest research results underline the great importance of health promotion and prevention programs in childhood for a healthy life in adulthood. ***
There are currently over 1.7 million children and young people under the age of 20 living in Austria. This corresponds to 19 percent of Austria’s entire population. Although the burden of illness in this group is low compared to the general population, around 20 percent of young people in Austria suffer from a chronic illness. The psychological stress on children and young people has also increased significantly due to the pandemic and the multiple crises. The current study on the health of Austrian students from the 5th grade shows that 22 percent of girls and 10 percent of boys show signs of depression.
Revised new version
The child and adolescent health strategy is based on this „“Health in All Policies” principle. It serves as a framework for sustainably improving the health of young people through measures in all policy areas. The report has been regularly adapted to the latest research results since 2010 with relevant stakeholders. The Ministry of Health has now published it together with the State Secretariat for Youth the current report.
The revision was carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Health by Gesundheit Österreich GmbH and the National Child and Youth Health Committee with the participation of the Federal Chancellery. The multidisciplinary committee also supports the implementation of the strategy. In addition, the views of around 2,000 young people were included in the report for the first time.
27 goals and associated recommendations for action are defined on 90 pages in seven subject areas. The current report particularly emphasizes the importance of psychosocial health and the influence of living conditions, such as socioeconomic background, on long-term health in adulthood.
Expansion of health promotion and prevention
The expansion of health promotion and prevention programs is a central recommendation for action in the current report. As part of the health reform, an additional 60 million euros will be made available for this annually. This includes the nationwide rollout of the project „Early help”. The successful project is based on the recommendations of the previous child and adolescent health strategy. It offers preventive support for expectant mothers and families with babies and young children. The course for future health is set in early childhood. This is clearly proven by research in recent years.
Health Minister Johannes Rauch: “The child and youth health strategy shows what young people in Austria need for an all-round healthy life. The report provides a solid scientific basis for action for young people. With the parent-child pass, we already have a successful model in Austria with which health promotion begins before birth. The modernization and expansion of the parent-child pass is part of the successful project ‘Early help is one of the measures that give all children in Austria an even better start in life.”
Youth State Secretary Claudia Plakolm: “The digital space, the Internet, social media and messenger services have a major influence on the health of children and young people. The update of the child and adolescent health strategy recognizes this and I think it is very central. The teaching of health literacy must also take place where children and young people spend time and get information. Health is the top topic among young people and for more than 65%, the Internet, social media and influencers influence their self-perception and their own feeling of beauty. We have to take this into account.”.
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