This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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WHO study into adolescent health
03/06/2004
Governments around the world have much to learn from a
new World Health Organisation study into the health of
adolescents, Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said
today.
At the launch in Edinburgh of the Health Behaviours in
School-aged Children (HBSC) study, he said:
"I am delighted that Scotland is in the vanguard of
global research into this critical area. For many years,
the University of Edinburgh's Child and Adolescent Health
Research Unit led by Dr Candace Currie been has been
leading the way.
"The Scottish Executive is very pleased to support this
work through NHS Health Scotland and direct support of the
co-ordination of the international aspects.
"The main function of research is to inform policy.
There is a huge wealth of material here which will be of
immense use to policymakers and governments in every
country.
"Here in Scotland we have made good progress in recent
years in tackling many of the areas highlighted in the
report.
"The World Health Organisation last month praised our
joint strategy on diet and physical activity as an
excellent example for others to follow.
"But policy is only effective if we can see results on
the ground. There are range of measures already under way
in schools from provision of free fruit and the new
physical activity co-ordinators.
We are the first country in the world to secure
agreement from Coca Cola for debranding of their vending
machines in schools and offering healthier options such as
water or fruit juice.
"We have conducted a wide- ranging consultation on
sexual health which will provide the foundation for a new
strategy. Our aim is that a strategy will emerge which will
pave the way for improved sexual wellbeing for this and
future generations founded on the pillars of self-respect,
respect for others, and strong, respectful
relationships.
"Smoking remains the biggest cause of early death in
Scotland we will also be seeking the public's views very
soon on new measures on smoking in bars, restaurants and
other public places.
"The great value of this study is not only its range but
that it sets the health of young people in the much wider
context of deprivation, family and peer pressures. Above
all it tells us what our young people are saying. They are
Scotland's future and we ignore their voices at our
peril."
Scotland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Mac Armstrong,
said:
"It is clear that if we are going to make any impact on
Scotland's appalling health record, we have to start with
our young people.
"This is an excellent report. It will give my medical
colleagues both here and across North America and Europe
much to consider. In many areas, such as child obesity,
this isn't just a wake- up call it is an international
alarm bell.
"In Scotland there are particular problems such as
consumption of sugary drinks and how we function both as
inviduals and as a society. I do not underestimate the
enormous challenges facing us."