The Child and Adolescent Health Survey--a foundation for prevention, health promotion and health goals

Abstract

At the beginning of the 21st century, the German Health Interview and Examination Survey of Children and Adolescents will for the first time provide the data essential for programmes of disease prevention and health promotion as well as for the development of health targets. This it will create key information for an evidence-based health policy. The results of the study can be projected to the general population of children and adolescents in Germany. The data will be collected conjunct at the level of the individual subject. They will facilitate valid and distinct description of prevalent physical, psychological and social health problems, as well as on who has them under which circumstances and settings. Information on the impact, e.g., in terms of utilisation of the health system or impairments of quality of life, will also be available from the same subjects. In addition, indicators of risks to health in later life are included. Hence, the data will support prevention of health problems in infancy, childhood and adolescence as well as of chronic diseases in later life. Finally, the data shall be a basis for the definition of new reference values for many variables. This will improve valid and clear judgement not only in epidemiological studies but also in medical care.