4.N. Scientific session: Equity in Child Health: Leveraging Universal Health Promotion Services for Families Amid Uncertainty
Authors:   Organised by: Norwegian Institute of Public Health (Norway),   Chair persons: Boye Welde (Norway)
Published: October 2024

This workshop addresses the urgent need to foster resilience and equity in child health within the context of an increasingly uncertain Europe. Rapid societal changes, exacerbated by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened risks of conflict, climate change and economic instability, underscore the importance of nurturing environments where children can thrive despite challenging circumstances. The workshop aims to explore strategies for promoting well-being and addressing social inequalities in child health within the context of universal health promotion services, such as school health services and child health clinics.

Objectives are to 1) Elucidate the importance and impact of universal health promotion services in addressing social inequalities and promoting equitable opportunities for all children, regardless of background or circumstance; 2) Identify actionable steps for interventions mitigating social inequalities and promoting equitable opportunities focusing on health literacy among parents with immigrant backgrounds; 3) Showcase successful models and initiatives in universal healthcare and health promotion services for children and families, emphasizing early intervention and standardized evaluation tools; and 4) Facilitate dialogue and knowledge exchange among professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in child and adolescent health promotion.

This workshop’s added value lies in its multidisciplinary approach, fostering collaboration for innovative solutions in child health resilience and equity. The coherence between presentations lies in their joint focus on addressing social inequalities in the context of universal health promotion services for children and families. Each presentation offers a unique perspective on these themes, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in child health promotion.

• Hanne Nissen Bjørnsen’s presentation on the role of universal services in public health and addressing social inequality sets the stage by examining the structural factors contributing to disparities in child health outcomes.

• Kirsti Riiseŕs presentation conveys the importance of user, stakeholder, and community involvement in creating culturally sensitive strategies for effective health promotion services in the context of health literacy among parents with immigrant backgrounds

• Kristin Haraldstad’s presentation on Starting Right, an evidence-based assessment of children in municipalities healthcare centers, highlights the importance of early intervention and targeted support in mitigating health inequalities and promoting well-being.

Format of the workshop: Three 10-minute presentations followed by a 20-minute moderated discussion to delve into empowerment and equity in child health, encouraging rich idea exchanges.

Key messages

• Leveraging universal health promotion services effectively empowers children and families while addressing social inequalities amidst periods of uncertainty.

• Collaborative, user-centered approaches and evidence-based working strategies are key to promoting equity and building resilience in child health.