Addressing challenging health inequalities of children and youth between two Karelias (KA 431)
Funded by Karelia ENPI 2007-2013

Objective of the project

The objective of the project was to promote health and well-being of children and adolescents in the two Karelias and to influence the differences in health between the two regions in the long term.

Main activities

• Survey on the current health behaviour of adolescents in the two Karelias. • Survey on the current health of children in the pilot schools at the beginning and end of the project. • Survey on the perceptions of the parents and teachers about health promotion in the pilot schools. • Updating and creating health educational material in the pilot schools for school staff, pupils and parents. • Developing and instilling operational interactive health models for schools and co-operation with parents in the pilot schools. • Training the school staff. • Disseminating information about health issues and project results.

Achievements

Health and wellbeing of the children and youth in the project area has been improved. The target groups received an information about the importance of their health choices and healthy lifestyles. This is expected to make them to maintain healthier lives meaning sufficient exercise, balanced diet, avoiding risky behaviours including smoking, drinking and drug abuse. Today’s young people will be the parents of tomorrow, and therefore the health of children and adolescents today affects also the quality of life of the future generations. The teachers and school health care staff in the pilot schools increased their professional competencies by gaining new knowledge and tools for promoting child health and cooperating with parents. Also their working environment became safer and more peaceful and there are less health-related problems to solve. In general the wellbeing of families has been improved. Parents of the children in the pilot schools were invited to consciously think about their views about the health of their children and how it can be improved. They were informed about factors affecting child health and the importance of cooperation between school and homes. This is expected to trigger healthier lifestyles not only for the children, but also for whole families. Better health of the family means better quality of life and less health-related problems to solve and less bills to be paid. Supporting the well-being of children and adolescents by providing preventive health care is more beneficial for both humane and economic reasons than treating illnesses and solving crises. Therefore, societal and economic long-term effects of the project are particularly significant.