Promoting Equity: Child & Adolescent Health Service

Abstract

The health and well-being of children and adolescents face significant challenges, particularly in times of social instability. In response to these challenges, the Norwegian government allocated funding in 2021 to establish a national center for Child and Adolescent Health Promotion Services. Situated within the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, this center focuses on enhancing expertise, professional development, and research within municipal maternity and child health clinics, school health services, and youth health clinics. This presentation delves into the crucial role of Universal Health Promoting Services (UHPS) in mitigating the adverse effects of social inequality on child and adolescent health. By leveraging evidence-based practices and identifying knowledge gaps in health promotion and disease prevention in primary care settings, UHPS serve as catalysts for reducing health disparities and enhancing outcomes among expecting parents, children, and adolescents. Moreover, UHPS plays a vital role in addressing the underlying determinants of health inequality, including social network, lifestyle factors, promotion of health literacy and ensuring accessible health care services for all. UHPS empowers individuals and communities to actively participate in health promotion efforts, fostering a culture of health equity and resilience. Through targeted health education programs, early intervention strategies, and community empowerment initiatives the UHPS work both at a systems and individual level to address social inequality in health. This presentation contextualizes UHPS within a broader picture aimed at promoting child and adolescent health while addressing social inequality in health. By highlighting effective approaches and areas requiring further research, it aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on optimizing health outcomes for young populations.