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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 News
World Children's Day - 20 November 2024
On 20 November 2024, World Children’s Day, WHO/Europe and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are releasing 10 evidence-based fact sheets that will drive an ambitious new strategy for child and adolescent health and well-being in the years ahead. The fact sheets not only present the latest available data and identify critical challenges but, crucially, highlight solutions and opportunities for action.
The fact sheets cover crucial areas including early childhood development, breastfeeding, obesity, mental health, digital environments, providing services to adolescents, sexual and reproductive health, refugee and migrant children, the impact of COVID-19 on education, and mortality. They will serve as a foundation for evidence-based policy-making as countries work to implement the new strategy.
For more information see https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/20-11-2024-future-proofing-the-european-region-s-children--who-and-unicef-release-powerful-new-evidence-for-action-on-health
HBSC Ireland data is included in 4 of these factsheets:
Child and adolescent health in the WHO European Region: adolescent mental health fact sheet. download
Child and adolescent health in the WHO European Region: digital environment fact sheet. download
Child and adolescent health in the WHO European Region: impact of COVID-19 on education fact sheet. download
Child and adolescent health in the WHO European Region: overweight and obesity fact sheet. download
Latest HBSC International Report - Launched 13 November 2024
Launched today, the report ‘A focus on adolescent social contexts in Europe, central Asia and Canada’ is the seventh in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022.
The report is available to download from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/379486
This report, Volume 7 in the series, focuses on the social context of adolescents’ lives. It describes the status of adolescent family and peer relationships and school experiences, the role of gender, age and social inequality, and changes in adolescents’ social context over time.
Latest HBSC International Report - Launched 25 September 2024
Launched on Wednesday 25th September 2024, the report ‘A focus on adolescent social media use and gaming in Europe, central Asia and Canada’ is the sixth in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022.
The report is available to download from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/378982
The report reveals a sharp rise in problematic social media use among adolescents, with rates increasing from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. This, coupled with findings that 12% of adolescents are at risk of problematic gaming, raises urgent concerns about the impact of digital technology on the mental health and well-being of Europe's youth.
HBSC International Report - Launched 29 August 2024
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Launched on Thursday 29th August 2024, the report ‘A focus on adolescent sexual health in Europe, central Asia and Canada’ is the fifth in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022.
The report is available to download from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/378547
This fifth report provides crucial insights into the sexual health and behaviours of 15-year-olds across 42 countries and regions.
The report reveals alarming trends in adolescent sexual health across Europe, central Asia, and Canada. Approximately 30% of sexually active 15-year-olds reported using neither condoms nor contraceptive pills at last intercourse, putting a substantial proportion of young people at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. This risk is compounded by a significant decline in condom use since 2014. While sexual initiation rates have remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease among boys, substantial variations exist between countries.
Lead author, and HBSC Ireland team member, András Költő was interviewed on RTE Drivetime on 3rd September. Listen to the interview at https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22429139/
HBSC International Report - Launched 23 May 2024
Launched today, the report ‘A focus on adolescent physical activity, eating behaviours, weight status and body image in Europe, central Asia and Canada’ is the fourth in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022.
The report is available to download from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/376772
This fourth report examines the status of moderate- to-vigorous and vigorous physical activity, physical inactivity, food and drink consumption, over- and underweight and body image among adolescents, explores the role of gender, age and social inequality and identifies how these adolescent behaviours have changed over time.
HBSC Ireland 2022 National Report - Launched 2 May 2024
The Irish Health Behaviour in School Children (HBSC) Study 2022 was launched via an online webinar on Thursday 2nd May at 10.00am.
download the full report here:
Gavin, A., Költő, A., Lunney, L., Maloney, R., Walker, L., Nic Gabhainn, S., & Kelly, C. (2024). The Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study 2022. Dublin: Department of Health & Galway: Health Promotion Research Centre, University of Galway. download
The report presents data collected in 2022 from over 10,000 participants. HBSC Ireland would like acknowledge all the parents and children who consented and participated as well as the management authorities, principals and teachers in all schools that participated.
Wathc a recording of the launch webinar.
download a copy of the presentation given by Aoife Gavin at the launch.
download a copy of the press release.
Register to attend webinar here
HBSC International Report - Launched 25 April 2024
Launched today, the report ‘A focus on adolescent substance use in Europe, central Asia and Canada’ is the third in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022.
The report is available to download from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/376573
This third report focuses on cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use, alcohol consumption and drunkenness, and cannabis use (only measured among 15-year olds) across 44 countries and regions.
The report highlights a narrowing gender gap in substance use, emphasising the need for targeted prevention strategies.
HBSC International Report - Launched 27 March 2024
Launched today, the report ‘A focus on adolescent peer violence and bullying in Europe, central Asia and Canada’ is the second in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022.
The report is available to download from https://bit.ly/hbsc-vol2
This second report focuses on patterns of bullying and peer violence among adolescents across 44 countries and regions.
While the overall trends in school bullying have remained stable since 2018, cyberbullying has increased, magnified by the increasing digitalisation of young people’s interactions, with potentially profound impacts on young lives.
State of the Nation's Children 2023
25 January 2024
HBSC Ireland data is included in the most recent edition of the State of the Nation's Children (SONC) report.
SONC provides a comprehensive picture of children's lives by presenting key information on children’s health, behavioural and educational outcomes as well as their relationships with their parents and their friends. It also presents data on supports and services available to children.
SONC, published biennially since 2006, and annually since 2020, is widely used as a resource by policy makers, the research community and civil society, and aims to inform Government policy on children, young people and families.
New WHO Europe report on the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
Decmeber 2023
HBSC Ireland data is included in a new WHO Eurpe report. The report Left behind: inequalities in the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents in the WHO European Region: impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people’s health and well-being from the findings of the HBSC survey round 2021/2022 summarizes findings from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey round 2021/2022 regarding the unequal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents’ health and health behaviours in 22 countries and regions of the WHO European Region.
Children's and Young People's Indicator Set.
21 November 2023
The Children and Young People’s (CYP) indicator set is a comprehensive collection of indicators relating to the lives of children and young people aged 0–24 years in Ireland. Developed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, it aims to track progress across each of the national outcomes outlined in Young Ireland, the national policy framework for children and young people 2023–2028. HBSC Ireland provides data for several of the indicators.
The CYP Indicator Set replaces the previous indicator set used for the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures (BOBF) national policy framework 2014–2020. Data for the indicators has been revised and updated for 2023. There have also been some updates, for example, the addition of a new indicator on e-cigarette usage and more information on indicators and their sources, including information on the availability of disaggregated data, in particular for marginalised or disadvantaged groups, and the provision of open data.
Vaping and e-cigarettes - HSE information booklet for parents, guardians and young people.
August 2023
The HSE have produced a booklet about e-cigarettes and vaping to help people understand the risks associated with vaping. The information, for young people, parents and guardians refers to HBSC Ireland data on e-cigarette use. You can read the booklet here
Traveller Mental Wellness Continuum: A qualitative peer research study of Travellers’ views
October 2023
Our colleague Margaret Barry and past colleague Tuuli Kuosmanen have launched the 'Traveller Mental Wellness Continuum: A qualitative peer research study of Travellers’ views' in collaboration with the HSE network of Mental Health Service Coordinators for Travellers. HBSC Ireland data is included in this report. You can read the full report here.
Latest HBSC International Report - Launched 10 October 2023
Launched on World Mental Health Day, 10th October 2023, the report 'A focus on adolescent mental health and well-being in Europe, Central Asia and Canada' is the first in a series of international reports using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey 2021/2022.
The report available to download from https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/373201.
Download the presentation slides given by Dr. Alina Cosma at the launch of the Mental Health Report in Athens, Greece.
This first report presents findings on adolescents’ mental health and well-being, with consideration of gender, age, and social inequality, and examines changes over the past 3 survey rounds since the 2013/2014 HBSC survey.
Major report findings include the following.
- Mental health and well-being are declining, especially among girls – 15-year-old girls’ health is markedly worse in most countries compared to boys.
- More adolescents are lonelier now than in the previous 2017/2018 survey.
- The number of adolescents with multiple health complaints, such as sleep problems and nervousness, has increased steadily since 2014.
The report underscores the importance of:
- placing schools at the centre of mental health promotion and prevention programmes, necessitating resource investment and training;
- collaborating with community-based services, including hospitals and community mental health centres, for specialized support to children in need; and
- monitoring child and adolescent mental health through initiatives, such as HBSC, to assess the impact of national or regional activities aimed at improving mental health and well-being.
International Youth Day 2023
August 2023
Youth participation work conducted by the HBSC Ireland team is the focus of an article published for International Youth Day 2023.
The article ‘Helping young people direct their own health and well-being through research at WHO Collaborating Centre in Ireland’ reports how the team has involved young people inearly discussions about health strategy development and has offered young people opportunities to take an active role in research, to share expectations, define goals and identify appropriate health-care frameworks to meet their personal needs.
Read the full article on the WHO Europe website
New WHO–HBSC data shed light on COVID-19 pandemic's effects on children and adolescents
June 2023
HBSC Ireland data features in four new reports highlighting the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescednts.
For more information see the WHO website.
Journal article on body weight perception
July 2022
HBSC Ireland data is included in a new journal article recently published in the journal Child and Adolescent Obesity.
The article co-authored by Colette Kelly, HBSC Ireland team member, examines time trends in body weight perception between 2002 and 2018 among adolescents from 41 countries and regions. It includes gender and counrty differences and explores the role of changes over time in country-level overweight/obesity prevalence in these trends.
(2023). Cross-national time trends in adolescent body weight perception and the explanatory role of overweight/obesity prevalence. Child and Adolescent Obesity, 6(1). DOI: 10.1080/2574254X.2023.2218148
New Growing Up in Ireland report
November 2022
HBSC Ireland data is referenced in the latest Growing Up in Ireland report. The Changing Social Worlds of 9-Year-Olds compares the experiences of 9-year-olds born a decade apart by drawing on Wave 1 of the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) Cohort ’98, conducted in 2007/08, and Wave 5 of GUI Cohort ‘08, conducted in 2017/18. It documents changes in their lives across the domains of relationships with family and peers, day-to-day activities and engagement with formal and informal learning.
New HRB report on alcohol and drug use
September 2022
HBSC Ireland data is included in the latest report in the HRB Overview Series. The report HRB Overview Series 12: Alcohol and other drug use among children and young people in Ireland: prevalence, risk and protective factors, consequences, responses, and policies is now available. The report outlines the prevalence of alcohol and other drug use among young people in Ireland. It examines the risk and protective factors that may encourage or discourage young people to begin using such substances and/or lead to problematic use. It also examines the consequences of drug and alcohol use, such as hospitalisations, deaths, and crime. This overview outlines the responses to drug and alcohol use among young people, including treatment data and the strategies and legislation that guide stakeholders in preventing and minimising harm due to substance use.
NUI Galway Research Impact Case Studies #PurposePeoplePlace
August 2022
HBSC Ireland is featured in the NUI Galway Research Impact Case Studies.
For 28 years HBSC Ireland has been recording the health and wellbeing of Ireland’s school-aged children. Read more about the positive impact their research is making on children's lives here.
Watch a video of Professor Saoirse Nic Gabhainn and Professor Colette Kelly reflcting on HBSC Ireland and its impact.
