HEALTH BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN (HBSC) IRELAND

World Health Organization Collaborative Cross-National Study


The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey is a WHO collaborative cross-national study that monitors the health behaviours, health outcomes and social environments of school-aged children every four years. HBSC Ireland surveys school-going children aged 9-18 years. The study is conducted by the HBSC Ireland team, based at the Health Promotion Research Centre, University of Galway.

LATEST HBSC INTERNATIONAL REPORT - LAUNCHED 19 May 2020

The HBSC international report from the 2017/2018 survey is now available. The Spotlight on Adolescent Health and Well-being provides data from 45 countries in Europe and Canada. Findings are presented on the health and social behaviours of almost 228,000 young people aged 11, 13 and 15 years. 

The cross-national survey covers diverse aspects of adolescent health and social behaviour, including self-assessment of mental health; body image; dietary habits; physical activity; school context; relationships with families and peers; tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use; bullying and injuries; and sexual health (for those aged 15 and above only). A special focus on online communication was included in the most recent HBSC survey, to better understand the expanding role of digital technology in young people’s lives.

The study highlights the changing status of mental well-being among the Region’s youth. Reports of poor mental health – feeling low, nervous or irritable – are increasing across the Region. The data also clearly show that mental health declines with age. While technology can have positive benefits, it can also introduce new threats, such as cyberbullying, which disproportionately affects girls. Over 1 in 10 adolescents report having been cyberbullied at least once in the past two months.

As the latest HBSC study, featuring findings from 2017/2018, is released, the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The next study, which will feature findings from 2021/2022, will therefore reflect the impact of the pandemic on the lives of young people.

Further information can be found on the WHO/Europe website 

See here for the Press release for Ireland (As Gaeilge) and the WHO EURO press release

To access both Volume 1 Key Findings and Volume 2 Key Data of Spotlight on Adolescent Health and Well-Being, visit: https://hbsc.org/publications/reports/spotlight-on-adolescent-health-and-well-being/ 


HBSC INTERNATIONAL REPORT ART COMPETITION

2020 IR HBSC Ireland art collage

 

As part of a number of initiatives to involve young people in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, children across Europe were asked to contribute their artwork to the HBSC International Report, ‘Spotlight on adolescent health and well-being. Findings from the 2017/2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (‎HBSC)‎ survey in Europe and Canada.’

An art competition was held across HBSC countries and the winning entry from each country was included in the report. The artwork featured here includes Irish entries to the HBSC international art competition. The artists, aged 13-17, (from top left to bottom right) are: Cormac, Robyn, Dylan, Li, Caoimhe, Rebecca, Jade and Keith. Congratulations to Caoimhe, (age 13) whose artwork was included in the report.

 


HBSC WELCOME SPEECH BY ZSUZSANNA JAKAB, WHO REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE