Child and Adolescent Health

Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive

Focus report of the federal health reporting published

With the first, just published focus report of the federal health reporting, there is for the first time a comprehensive overview of the state of health and health care of children and adolescents in Germany. The report entitled "Health of Children and Adolescents" contains over 200 pages of basic demographic data (including the proportion of children in the population), data on the socio-economic framework under which children grow up today, and an inventory of the health situation and health behavior of Children as well as information on the use of preventive and curative services.

Since no comprehensive epidemiological data are currently available, the authors from the University of Cologne and the Robert Koch Institute have used various data sources: official statistics, data from statutory health insurance, epidemiological studies and results from public health and youth research. On the basis of these data sources, the status and changes in the health situation, the frequency of selected diseases, e.g. bronchial asthma or neurodermatitis, as well as the health behavior of children and adolescents are presented - if possible also with regional and temporal differentiation. Particular attention is paid to influencing factors that can impair health and development in childhood or pose particular health risks for adulthood, such as obesity or smoking.

"Despite a wide range of data sources, there is a lack of representative, reliable information on essential areas of child and youth health," says Bärbel-Maria Kurth, head of the epidemiology and health reporting department at the Robert Koch Institute. The information gaps are to be closed with a nationwide comprehensive study with around 18.000 children and adolescents. This child and youth survey (KIGGS) was started in May 2003 and will end in 2006; first results are expected for 2006/2007. "These can serve as a basis for the development of effective prevention concepts", emphasizes Bärbel-Maria Kurth.

The Robert Koch Institute carries out federal health reporting in cooperation with the Federal Statistical Office and has been publishing regular GBE thematic booklets, articles and now also GBE focus reports since the beginning of 2001. The GBE focus report "Health of Children and Adolescents" can be requested free of charge in writing from the Robert Koch Institute, Health Reporting, Seestraße 10, 13353 Berlin, Fax 01888 - 754-3513, eMail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots To display JavaScript must be turned on!

Further information:

Source: Berlin [rki]

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