Action programs in prevention and health promotion. A critical analysis of children and adolescents as the target group

摘要

Background. A wide range of action programs in the field of prevention and health promotion have been developed by the federal government, federal governmental departments and higher federal authorities.This analysis had two objectives. The first was to identify and demonstrate federal level action programs for prevention and health promotion, while the second was to examine similarities and differences between their content with children and adolescents serving as the target group. Not only was this population group chosen because its health is of great significance but also because of the diversity of programs available for children and adolescents. Method. The analysis commenced with a review of the literature that identified action programs in the area of prevention and health promotion. Of these, five having children and adolescents as the target group were selected and arranged according to the public health action cycle.The criteria used to compare these action programs were program inception, target groups, contributors, financial resources, fields of operation, projects and evaluation. Results. Of the action programs in the sector of prevention and health promotion 14 exist at the federal level. The five selected action programs with children and adolescents serving as the target group exhibited considerable complexity and content overlap in the criteria of contributors, financial resources, fields of operation and projects.Conclusion. An important need for action exists to clarify the responsibility and the scope of duties as well as to improve the coordination and organization of action programs between the federal governmental departments and higherfederal authorities as well as within health policy structures.