European strategy for child and adolescent health and development [antikvár]

Scope and objectivesThe tool provides guidance to national and local health ministries and authorities, as well as togovernments and international and national NGOs, in reviewing or developing their strategies andwork plans. It includes eight tables that were developed taking into account:1.the 7 priority areas identified by WHO at global level for Child and Adolescent Health andDevelopment (CAHD)2.the official documents and guidelines developed by WHO and other international agencies3.suggestions made by Member States, international agencies and NGOs, during the pilotassessments of the Strategy.The tables include actions (legislation, regulations, policies, interventions, etc.) that have beenofficially recommended by WHO and other international agencies/entities. The extent to and levelat which such actions are appropriate and applicable in different countries depends on theepidemiological profile, as well as on the institutional context and the development and financing ofthe health system. As a consequence, the tables should not be viewed as a set of recommendations,but as a menu of policies and interventions from which national and local authorities can select themost appropriate combination for inclusion in their strategies and plans. Moreover, the tables areexpected to be periodically reviewed in the light of new scientific evidence and of the experiencegained from countries.StructureThe tables address the seven priority areas identified by the Strategy (maternal and newborn health,nutrition, communicable diseases, physical environment, adolescent health, injuries and violence,psychosocial and mental health. A table for chronic disease and disability has been added to coveran area of increasing importance in the European Region.The actions are grouped by the above eight areas, then by main objectives within each area. Thisallows Member States the flexibility to assess and revise their current strategies and policies anddecide which priorities and objectives need attention first,Since for each area a complete set of suggested actions is provided, the same actions may beproposed for more than one area: for example, some of the actions proposed for area n.2 (nutrition)are also included in area 1 (mothers and newborns), and some of the actions to address area n. 5(injuries and violence) are also included when addressing the issues of area 6 (adolescent health),etc.For each priority area, actions are framed according to a three-tiered structure which recognizes thataction needs to be taken at three different levels:1.The level of cross sectoral policies, to ensure that some of social determinants of health anddisease are addressed by appropriate legislation, policies and programmes.2.The level of the health system, to ensure that the preconditions for effective delivery ofinterventions, such as access to quality services, provision of competent staff, drugs andsupplies, are guaranteed.3.The level of health services, to ensure that the relevant health interventions and programmesare delivered according to international guidelines and scientific evidence.