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Back To School: Reporting on Ireland’s Generational Trends (1998-2022) - 22 August 2025

The latest article in Cois Coirib, the University of Galway's online platform,, highlighting the views and opinions of some of the university’s top academics and researchers, features a review of our recently published Trends report Trends in Health Behaviours, Outcomes and Contexts: 1998-2022. The article includes a snapshot of findings from the report, a video of the launch and reflections on HBSC from Professors Colette Kelly and Saoirse Nic Gabhainn, Co-Principal Investigators of HBSC Ireland. The articel can be viewed at https://impact.universityofgalway.ie/articles/back-to-school-reporting-on-irelands-generational-trends-1998-2022/

 

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New IPH report on sunbed use and policy options - 9th July 2025

HBSC Ireland data is a key source for a new report published by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) which recommends a ban on sunbeds to reduce the risk of skin cancer in Ireland, which has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world.

The comprehensive report, ‘An overview of sunbed use in Ireland and policy options to reduce skin cancer risk’, analysed available data on sunbed users, sunbed availability, current regulations on sunbeds and associated infringements, as well as policy options introduced internationally to reduce skin cancer risks associated with sunbed use.

The report was developed to support the Department of Health and HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan (2023-2026) and the 2025 Programme for Government commitment to explore a ban on commercial sunbed use.

Sunbed use

Data on sunbed use in Ireland shows that sunbeds continue to be used by children and adolescents despite regulations restricting their availability to anyone under the age of 18:

• 2% of children aged 10-17 years reported ‘ever’ using a sunbed
• 4% of children aged 10-17 years reported using a sunbed in the last 12 months
• Sunbed use is similar among boys and girls and among pre-teen and teenage children.

IPH Director of Policy, Dr Helen McAvoy, said: “Our report provides evidence that sunbeds are still being used by children and young people despite existing regulations restricting their availability to anyone under the age of 18. Using sunbeds increases your risk for skin cancer; it is not safe to use a sunbed at any age.

“A ban on sunbeds has been shown to work. In Australia, it is estimated to have prevented tens of thousands of skin cancers and led to significant health cost savings. Introducing a similar ban on sunbeds in Ireland could help to stem skin cancer rates, which are projected to double over the next 20 years.”

Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, with special responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, said, “This report reinforces what we already know—there is no safe level of sunbed use. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Ireland, and we must act decisively to protect our population, particularly our young people, from preventable harm. The evidence is clear: sunbeds are still being used by children and young people, despite legal restrictions. This is deeply concerning. We must do everything within our power to protect people from its harms in order to save lives and reduce the burden of cancer on our health service.“

The report: Reynolds, C.M.E., Rodriguez, L., O’Connor, L. &, McAvoy, H. (2025). An overview of sunbed use in Ireland and policy options to reduce skin cancer risk. A report developed by the Institute of Public Health to inform the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme. Dublin & Belfast: Institute of Public Health. ISBN: 978-1-913829-52-0. DOI: 10.14655/11971-1084927 download

Ahead of the launch of the report the HSE’s NCCP and IPH held an event to inform future policy options to reduce skin cancer risk in Ireland.
Speakers included:

• Opening address from Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor
• Ciara Reynolds, Institute of Public Health
• Maria McEnery, HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme
• Jane Murray, patient advocate
• Dr Aoife Lally, Consultant Dermatologist
• Craig Sinclair, Cancer Council Australia

The presentations were recorded on the day and can be watched back by clicking here.

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HBSC Ireland Trends Report 1009-2022 - 3rd June 2025

The HBSC Ireland report Trends in Health Behavious, Outcomes and Contexts: 1988-2022 is now available. 

Launched on Tuesday 3rd June, by the Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, the report presents findings on the health and wellbeing of children in Ireland between 1998 and 2022. To date, HBSC Ireland has collected data from 70,533 school-aged children aged 10-17 years across the Republic of Ireland. The report describes the self-reported health status of children in Ireland over time in relation to key indicators: health behaviours, health outcomes and the contexts of their lives. Internationally comparable trends data are also included.

Data visuals of the findings are available:
Trends in Health Behaviours 1998-2022
Trends in Age of Initiation 1998-2022
Trends in Health Outcomes 1998-2022
Trends in Health Contexts 1998-2022

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HBSC Team win Dean's Award 2025 - 28 May 2025

The HBSC Ireland team were the winners of the Dean's Award for Outstanding Communication & Contribution to the College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences.

Professor Saoirse Nic Gabhainn, Co-PI of HBSC Ireland, with team members Aoife Gavin, Ruchika Mathur and Dr Viv Batt pictured after receiving the award at the CMNHS all staff meeting on Wednesday 28th May 2025.

Congratulations to all past & present HBSC Ireland team members.

download a copy of the Nomination of HBSC for the award.

download a copy of the slides with information on HBSC Ireland

 

 

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European Health Report 2024 - 25 February 2025

Professor The European Health Report is produced every 3 years as a flagship publication by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. This edition, which features HBSC Ireland data, is based on the indicators included in the WHO European Programme of Work, 2020– 2025 – “United Action for Better Health” measurement framework. 

This 2024 Report finds that the health of the people in the WHO European Region continues to be negatively affected by an accumulation of hard-to-tackle threats and new hazards that require our urgent attention in the aftermath of the coronavirus disease (‎COVID-19)‎ pandemic.

Download from the WHO https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2025-10668-50440-76183 

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Ireland’s Youth: Informing Health Policy and Practice Through Research - 4 February 2025

Professor Colette Kelly and Professor Saoirse Nic Gabhainn, Co-PIs of HBSC Ireland reflect on the many years of HBSC Ireland findings and the impact it has had on policy and strategy around children and young people's health and wellbeing. Read the article at https://impact.universityofgalway.ie/articles/irelands-youth-informing-health-policy-and-practice-through-research/ 

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EU Country Cancer Profile: Ireland 2025 - 3 February 2025

HBSC Ireland data is featured in the EU Counrty Cancer profile: Ireland 2025. The profile identifies strengths, challenges and specific areas of action on cancer prevention and care as part of the European Cancer Inequalities Registry, a flagship initiative of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. It provides a short synthesis of: the national cancer burden; risk factors for cancer (focusing on behavioural and environmental risk factors); early detection programmes; and cancer care performance (focusing on accessibility, care quality, costs and quality of life).

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‘Stastical Spotlight #15: The State of the Nation’s Women and Girls’ - 20 January 2025

HBSC Ireland data is featured in the report ‘Statistical Spotlight #15: The State of the Nation’s Women and Girls’. The report collates available data on the lives of women and girls across five key areas: demographics, health, education, employment and, poverty and social vulnerability. The report provides statistical analysis in each area and examines trends over time. This Spotlight shines a light on how women and girls are faring in Ireland today and over the past decade, focusing on areas like life expectancy, physical activity, educational attainment, subject choice in education, employment rates, the gender pay gap, female representation in parliament, poverty rates and much more. 

Statistical Spotlight #15: The State of the Nation’s Women and Girls download

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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 

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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. 

 

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Latest HBSC International Report - Launched 25 September 2024

Launched on Wednesday 25^th 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. 

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HBSC International Report - Launched 29 August 2024

Launched on Thursday 29^th 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/ 

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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. 

 

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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. 

Watch 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

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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Children's and Young People's Indicator Set.

21 November 2023

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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

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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.

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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. 

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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

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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. 

Coping through crisis: COVID-19 pandemic experiences and adolescent mental health and well-being 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 (2023)

Age, gender and class: how the COVID-19 pandemic affected school-aged children in the WHO European Region (2023)

A network of care: the importance of social support for adolescents in the WHO European Region during the COVID-19 pandemic (2023)

Navigating uncharted territory: school closures and adolescent experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in the WHO European Region (2023)

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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.

Geraets, A.F.J., Cosma, A., Fismen, A.S., Ojala, K., Pierannunzio, D., Kelly, C., Melkumova, M., Vassallo, C., Gudelj Rakic, J., & Heinz, A. (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

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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.

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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.

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NUI Galway Research Impact Case Studies #PurposePeoplePlace

August 2022

HBSC Ireland is featured in the NUI Galway Research Impact Case Studies.

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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.