International journal of public health
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Int J Public Health · Sep 2009
Addressing the socioeconomic determinants of adolescent health: experiences from the WHO/HBSC Forum 2007.
Over the past 25 years, the WHO collaborative cross-national Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study has been accumulating evidence that provides insights into how to promote the health and well-being of young people. HBSC has increased understanding of the determinants of young people's health, particularly in relation to the social contexts in which they live, learn and play. The study now spans 43 countries and regions in Europe and North America. ⋯ The WHO/HBSC Forum series is an evolving platform. The methodology for each Forum process incorporates lessons learnt through past Fora - within resource constraints - and is based on the principles of efficiency and effectiveness. Areas requiring further development, identified through the aforementioned interviews and based on the reflections of co-organizers, include identification of means to ensure systematic, appropriate and meaningful youth involvement; maximization of the usefulness of the European consultation; and definition of a budget line and framework for evaluation of the process' impact at country level.