RKI income level determines the children's health

Congress "Poverty and Health" is currently taking place in Berlin

Poverty and health are closely linked. In particular children hit it hard. This emerges from a large study by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Even a big congress is currently dealing with this topic in Berlin. Here are the key facts in brief:

• On average, socially disadvantaged children have a significantly poorer health status than peers from better-off families.
• People who have to live on an income below the risk-of-poverty threshold from birth onwards have a life expectancy that is eight to eleven years lower than that of their high income earners.
• Socially disadvantaged populations have a two to three-fold increased risk of heart attack, stroke and diabetes.
• Disadvantages that arise in childhood often persist in later life.
• Doctors and politicians call for less competition and more solidarity in health care

In a large-scale study, the RKI published new data on the general state of health of children and adolescents in Germany. In addition to various aspects such as obesity, smoking behavior and mental disorders, the social status of children has also been linked to the general state of health. From 20 to 21 March 2018, a large congress with around 2,000 participants will take place in Berlin on the subject of "Poverty and Health".

Children from socially disadvantaged families have significant health disadvantages compared to their peers from better-off families. (Image: gpointstudio / fotolia.com)

The current health situation of adolescents

KIGGS, the study for the health of children and adolescents, provides information on the current health situation of adolescents in Germany. The newly published data looks at the period between 2014 and 2017. "The KiGGS data are an important basis for evidence-based measures to improve public health," Lothar H. Wieler, President of the Robert Koch Institute, said in a press release the study results.

Obesity in children is widespread

The study results were published in the "Journal of Health Monitoring". "Above all, the question of when decisive steps are taken for physical and mental health can be better investigated with the new longitudinal data," explains Wieler. The study data clearly show that more than half of children between the ages of two and six with obesity or obesity remain overweight later than adolescents. Wieler advises therefore to an early prevention.

Poverty causes bad child health

The study also established a clear link between poverty and poorer health. Data from the analysis showed that children and adolescents whose parents have lower incomes and lower education are significantly more likely to be in mediocre, poor or very poor health than peers whose parents earn more and are better educated.

Health inequality

At the Berlin Congress "Poverty and Health", this topic is currently hotly debated, because the last few years have shown that there has been no reduction in this context. "Men and women with incomes below the risk-of-poverty threshold have a median life expectancy at birth of eight to eleven years, compared to the high earners." Thomas Lampert of the RKI in a press release to the congress.

Arms are at increased risk for heart attack, stroke and diabetes

According to Lampert, the risk of chronic diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and chronic bronchitis is also two to three times higher in the socially disadvantaged population groups. Lampert reports there is "no evidence that social differences in health and life expectancy may have diminished." In some areas, the differences have even widened.

Children are especially hard hit

"Poverty makes for an unfavorable start in life on very different levels and puts enormous strain on parents and their children," warns Susanna Rinne-Wolf, first chairwoman of the Berlin Midwives Association. Instead of anticipation, forging plans for the future and a love-driven get-together, these children experience tangible existential fears, great hurdles in the use of help and often social isolation.

Disadvantages in childhood often continue in the further life

"This disadvantage often continues in later life and is reflected in education, among other things," summarizes Rinne-Wolf.

Non-contributory health insurance for all children under 18 years

Dr. In 2010, Uwe Denker founded the first practice without borders in Germany, which aims to medically advise and treat needy people for free. He increasingly encounters "children and adolescents from families in which none of the family members have health insurance," said Denker. He therefore calls for a general, non-contributory health insurance for all children living in Germany under 18 years.

Health care must be accessible to all

"A socially equitable health policy must be judged by whether it manages to implement the human right to health," announces Boris Velter, Secretary of State in the Senate Department for Health, Care and Equality. Velter calls for everyone to have access to healthcare, regardless of their background, age, gender or social situation.

Healthcare is about competition rather than solidarity

"Although the German health service is credited with a strong solidarity of elements, the orientation towards competitive action patterns is increasing," states the press release. Also, the personal responsibility of the insured is increasingly in the foreground. The individual is responsible for his own health, although many factors are beyond the control of the individual.

Health policy in repair

"Improving health equity is to be understood as a cross-cutting task for society as a whole," says Velter: as long as the problem is not recognized as one that affects society as a whole, health policy will often only remain a repair. The improvement of living and working conditions is only possible through a combination of economic, labor market, education and social policies. (Vb)