Pädiatrische versorgungskonzepte in Europa

To promote children’s health in Europe, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the European child and adolescent health strategy 2015–2020, which is supported and will be implemented by all Member States (MS). In order to measure the implementation of the strategy at country level, the WHO regional office carried out a survey in 2016, involving 48 out of 53 countries (91%). Findings from the survey will be available in a forthcoming WHO report and on the WHO website. This article presents selected results about health systems, mental and sexual and reproductive health. The primary care of children and adolescents in Europe illustrates a variety of care models, yet the majority of MS incorporate a system in which children are treated by both pediatricians and general practitioners. The survey also shows that many countries, including Germany, do not have pediatric essential drug lists or pediatric formulations of all essential drugs. Key data on mental health of adolescents derived from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, included in WHO Europe monitoring profiles of child health, has led to exemplary national actions. Access to sexual and reproductive health services continues to be a problem in many countries. A legal abortion without parental consent for adolescents under the age of 18 is only possible in less than half (48%) of the countries surveyed. This article compares the German case with that of other European countries and provides policy directions for the main childhood and youth health indicators in Europe as well as where they can be tracked. The ultimate aim is to support political dialogue, recognizing pediatricians as advocates for children, to make relevant recommendations for improving child and adolescent health.