European adolescents are being interviewed about inequality and health in preparation for a conference in Copenhagen in December 2002.
Young people in several European countries are being asked their thoughts about social inequalities in health. The opinions expressed will be represented in a video to be shown at the Danish presidency conference on "Social inequalities in health among children and young people" taking place in Copenhagen, 9-10 December 2002.
Preliminary results of the survey show that 96% of the children believe that there are social differences in health risks - and that young people have a good idea about what causes them. Some of the causes identified are:
unequal opportunities in education
unequal opportunities in finding a job
differences in financial circumstances
different capacities in being able to do something yourself.
But the causes identified did not only relate to education and economics. One young person said: "Health has a lot of aspects, but the most important is the environmental conditions, friends and a good family. And happiness, of course".
The results revealed a strong sense of social solidarity. Almost all children thought health should be "equally divided". Few saw traditional health promotion approaches as the answer. Many were pessimistic about changing behaviour. "If the parents and the parents before them lived in an unhealthy way, it can be difficult to do something about it". One child was particularly sceptical about health promotion messages, such as the need to exercise. "Other people, for example, a homeless man, why should he run? He has nothing to run for. Running does not make sense, if you don’t have any personal resources or a meaningful life."
Finding solutions
Asked, "What can children do to influence the situation?" almost three-quarters (74%) of all the children had ideas on how to make the world a healthier one - and 64% said they had a real commitment to fighting for a healthier world. They realised that they could not do it by themselves. "We have to work together with other people to alter the situation. That means involving peers, but also the family and policy makers". But they wanted to make an attempt. "Even if it is difficult or seems impossible to change the situation, for example for the homeless people, we could at least try".
Conference objectives
The Danish University of Education was responsible for the survey, whose findings will be used in the video contributing to the discussion at the conference. Case studies of 20 local and regional intervention projects within Denmark will also be presented plus the conclusions of a research seminar taking place the day before the conference begins.
Another key input is "The Copenhagen Declaration on Reducing Social Inequalities in Health" developed at a national conference in September 2000. The European conference addresses the part of the Copenhagen Declaration that deals with local communities and families.
The purpose of the Danish EU-Presidency conference is to present existing documentation and focus on policies and good practice. It is intended to be of specific interest to those working in the field of health promotion, as well as to planners, decision makers and politicians throughout Europe.
Info
Hanne Nielsen
Danish Ministry of the Interior and Health
Tel: +45 33 92 32 63
E-mail: HN@im.dk
Conference website: www.inequalities-copenhagen.dk
