Oral

A broad ranging discussion of how UK government policy towards education and social care has influenced health and well-being among children and young people. This will be considered though in-depth analyses of changes made over the past 20 years and their effectiveness in broadening the support for young people through joint working arrangements between education, health and social services departments. Recent trends in child health will be considered and placed in the context of social changes in the UK. Particular attention will be paid to issues of gender differences in educational achievement; ethnicity; effects of social exclusion; Looked after Children; and rising obesity levels, physical inactivity and emotional behavioral difficulties among young people. Finally the likely consequences for Government policy over the next 5 years will be considered, particularly in relation to UK specific trends in higher education, employment and social cohesion.

Session Objectives: To raise awareness of current issues around young people’s health and well-being in the UK helping participants to compare and contrast the noticeable trends with their own experiences in the USA. This will then allow for useful discussion of the causes and effects of any specific differences, leading to a better understanding of global changes in the effectiveness of population health promotion strategies.