The association between MPOWER tobacco control policies and adolescent smoking across 36 countries: An ecological study over time (2006–2014)

Objective: To examine associations over time between national tobacco control policies and adolescent smoking prevalence in Europe and Canada. Design: In this ecological study, national tobacco control policies (MPOWER measures, as derived from WHO data) in 36 countries and their changes over time were related to national-level adolescent smoking rates (as derived from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, 2006-2014). MPOWER measures included were: Protecting people from tobacco smoke (P), offering help to quit tobacco use (O), warning about the dangers of tobacco (W), enforcing bans on advertising, promotion and sponsorship (E) and raising taxes on tobacco (R). Results: Across countries, adolescent weekly smoking decreased from 17.7% in 2006 to 11.6% in 2014. It decreased most strongly between 2010 and 2014. Although baseline MPOWER policies were not directly associated with differences in average rates of adolescent smoking between countries, countries with higher baseline smoke-free policies (P) showed faster rates of change in smoking over the time period. Moreover, countries that adopted increasingly strict policies regarding warning labels (W) over time, faced stronger declines over time in adolescent weekly smoking. Conclusion: A decade after the introduction of the WHO MPOWER package, we observed that, in our sample of European countries and Canada, measures targeting social norms around smoking (i.e., smoke-free policies in public places and policies related to warning people about the dangers of tobacco) are most strongly related to declines in adolescent smoking.publishedVersio

The association between MPOWER tobacco control policies and adolescent smoking across 36 countries : an ecological study over time (2006–2014)

Objective To examine associations over time between national tobacco control policies and adolescent smoking prevalence in Europe and Canada. Design In this ecological study, national tobacco control policies (MPOWER measures, as derived from WHO data) in 36 countries and their changes over time were related to national-level adolescent smoking rates (as derived from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, 2006-2014). MPOWER measures included were: Protecting people from tobacco smoke (P), offering help to quit tobacco use (O), warning about the dangers of tobacco (W), enforcing bans on advertising, promotion and sponsorship (E) and raising taxes on tobacco (R). Results Across countries, adolescent weekly smoking decreased from 17.7% in 2006 to 11.6% in 2014. It decreased most strongly between 2010 and 2014. Although baseline MPOWER policies were not directly associated with differences in average rates of adolescent smoking between countries, countries with higher baseline smoke-free policies (P) showed faster rates of change in smoking over the time period. Moreover, countries that adopted increasingly strict policies regarding warning labels (W) over time, faced stronger declines over time in adolescent weekly smoking. Conclusion A decade after the introduction of the WHO MPOWER package, we observed that, in our sample of European countries and Canada, measures targeting social norms around smoking (i.e., smoke-free policies in public places and policies related to warning people about the dangers of tobacco) are most strongly related to declines in adolescent smoking.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Internet users' valuation of enhanced data protection on social media: which aspects of privacy are worth the most?

As the development of the Internet and social media has led to pervasive data collection and usage practices, consumers’ privacy concerns have increasingly grown stronger. While previous research has investigated consumer valuation of personal data and privacy, only few studies have investigated valuation of different privacy aspects (e.g., third party sharing). Addressing this research gap in the literature, the present study explores Internet users’ valuations of three different privacy aspects on a social networking service (i.e., Facebook), which are commonly captured in privacy policies (i.e., data collection, data control, and third party sharing). A total of 350 participants will be recruited for an experimental online study. The experimental design will consecutively contrast a conventional, free-of-charge version of Facebook with four hypothetical, privacy-enhanced premium versions of the same service. The privacy-enhanced premium versions will offer (1) restricted data collection on side of the company; (2) enhanced data control for users; and (3) no third party sharing, respectively. A fourth premium version offers full protection of all three privacy aspects. Participants’ valuation of the privacy aspects captured in the premium versions will be quantified measuring willingness-to-pay. Additionally, a psychological test battery will be employed to examine the psychological mechanisms (e.g., privacy concerns, trust, and risk perceptions) underlying the valuation of privacy. Overall, this study will offer insights into valuation of different privacy aspects, thus providing valuable suggestions for economically sustainable privacy enhancements and alternative business models that are beneficial to consumers, businesses, practitioners, and policymakers, alike

Situation of child and adolescent health in Europe

To promote child health in Europe, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe developed the child and adolescent health strategy (2015–2020), which was adopted by all Member States of the WHO European Region. The strategy’s implementation was monitored through country profiles compiling existing health data and a survey sent to all 53 European ministries of health. Responses from 48 countries are described graphically, quantitatively and qualitatively. This report helps to review achievements and address gaps in realizing the full potential for the health and well-being of children and adolescents

Pediatric treatment concepts in Europe

To promote children’s health in Europe, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the European child and adolescent health strategy 2015–2020, which is supported and will be implemented by all Member States (MS). In order to measure the implementation of the strategy at country level, the WHO regional office carried out a survey in 2016, involving 48 out of 53 countries (91%). Findings from the survey will be available in a forthcoming WHO report and on the WHO website. This article presents selected results about health systems, mental and sexual and reproductive health. The primary care of children and adolescents in Europe illustrates a variety of care models, yet the majority of MS incorporate a system in which children are treated by both pediatricians and general practitioners. The survey also shows that many countries, including Germany, do not have pediatric essential drug lists or pediatric formulations of all essential drugs. Key data on mental health of adolescents derived from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, included in WHO Europe monitoring profiles of child health, has led to exemplary national actions. Access to sexual and reproductive health services continues to be a problem in many countries. A legal abortion without parental consent for adolescents under the age of 18 is only possible in less than half (48%) of the countries surveyed. This article compares the German case with that of other European countries and provides policy directions for the main childhood and youth health indicators in Europe as well as where they can be tracked. The ultimate aim is to support political dialogue, recognizing pediatricians as advocates for children, to make relevant recommendations for improving child and adolescent health.PostprintPeer reviewe

Pädiatrische versorgungskonzepte in Europa

To promote children’s health in Europe, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the European child and adolescent health strategy 2015–2020, which is supported and will be implemented by all Member States (MS). In order to measure the implementation of the strategy at country level, the WHO regional office carried out a survey in 2016, involving 48 out of 53 countries (91%). Findings from the survey will be available in a forthcoming WHO report and on the WHO website. This article presents selected results about health systems, mental and sexual and reproductive health. The primary care of children and adolescents in Europe illustrates a variety of care models, yet the majority of MS incorporate a system in which children are treated by both pediatricians and general practitioners. The survey also shows that many countries, including Germany, do not have pediatric essential drug lists or pediatric formulations of all essential drugs. Key data on mental health of adolescents derived from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, included in WHO Europe monitoring profiles of child health, has led to exemplary national actions. Access to sexual and reproductive health services continues to be a problem in many countries. A legal abortion without parental consent for adolescents under the age of 18 is only possible in less than half (48%) of the countries surveyed. This article compares the German case with that of other European countries and provides policy directions for the main childhood and youth health indicators in Europe as well as where they can be tracked. The ultimate aim is to support political dialogue, recognizing pediatricians as advocates for children, to make relevant recommendations for improving child and adolescent health

The association between MPOWER tobacco control policies and adolescent smoking across 36 countries:an ecological study over time (2006–2014)

Objective To examine associations over time between national tobacco control policies and adolescent smoking prevalence in Europe and Canada. Design In this ecological study, national tobacco control policies (MPOWER measures, as derived from WHO data) in 36 countries and their changes over time were related to national-level adolescent smoking rates (as derived from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, 2006-2014). MPOWER measures included were: Protecting people from tobacco smoke (P), offering help to quit tobacco use (O), warning about the dangers of tobacco (W), enforcing bans on advertising, promotion and sponsorship (E) and raising taxes on tobacco (R). Results Across countries, adolescent weekly smoking decreased from 17.7% in 2006 to 11.6% in 2014. It decreased most strongly between 2010 and 2014. Although baseline MPOWER policies were not directly associated with differences in average rates of adolescent smoking between countries, countries with higher baseline smoke-free policies (P) showed faster rates of change in smoking over the time period. Moreover, countries that adopted increasingly strict policies regarding warning labels (W) over time, faced stronger declines over time in adolescent weekly smoking. Conclusion A decade after the introduction of the WHO MPOWER package, we observed that, in our sample of European countries and Canada, measures targeting social norms around smoking (i.e., smoke-free policies in public places and policies related to warning people about the dangers of tobacco) are most strongly related to declines in adolescent smoking