Persistent Social Inequality in Adolescent Health Indicators 1991-2022: Trend Study From Denmark
Bjørn E Holstein1, Mogens Trab Damsgaard1, Trine Pagh Pedersen1
1National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
International Journal of Public Health
|December 13, 2024
Summary
Socioeconomic inequality impacts adolescent health, with most indicators showing disparities over 30 years. Political efforts to reduce these health inequalities have unfortunately failed, necessitating improved monitoring and policies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Socioeconomic status is a significant determinant of health outcomes.
- Understanding trends in health inequalities among adolescents is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze socioeconomic inequality trends in adolescent health over three decades.
- To assess fifteen distinct health indicators for disparities.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of policies aimed at reducing health inequalities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Denmark (1991-2022).
- Included 35,423 adolescents aged 11-15 years across nine surveys.
- Measured socioeconomic inequality using prevalence differences and odds ratios between low and high socioeconomic groups.
Main Results:
- Socioeconomic inequality was observed in thirteen out of fifteen adolescent health indicators.
- Odds ratios indicated significant disparities, for example, in overweight prevalence (OR 2.22).
- Exceptions included underweight (not associated with socioeconomic background) and drunkenness (more prevalent in higher socioeconomic groups).
Conclusions:
- Political initiatives to reduce socioeconomic health inequality in adolescents appear to have been unsuccessful.
- There is a critical need for enhanced adolescent health monitoring systems.
- Improved policies are essential to effectively address socioeconomic disparities in adolescent health.
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