The “Health Behaviour in School-aged Children” study is a World Health Organization (WHO, regional office for Europe) collaborative cross-national study, which is conducted every four years in more than 40 (mostly European) countries. As its name suggests, the study aims to assess health and health behaviour in 11- to 15-year-old adolescents. In Switzerland, which joined the HBSC network in 1986, the study is conducted by Addiction Switzerland.
The most recent survey was conducted in 2022. During 2023 and 2024, several thematic research reports and corresponding factsheets on substance use, online behaviour, health, diet, physical activity and the situation in Switzerland compared to other countries were published. They are available in the list of publications.
Collecting data on health promoting and health compromising behaviour in adolescents is one of the major objectives of the HBSC study. The study design allows to compare findings in different countries (cross-national comparisons) and survey years (trends). The HBSC study is a valuable scientific basis for the development of prevention and health promotion programs, on national as well as cantonal level. The large number of publications such as reports, journal articles and factsheets highlights the importance of the HBSC study on an international level. A complete reference list comprising these publications is available on the international HBSC website.
The Swiss HBSC study is funded by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and most Swiss cantons.
In 2023, the international HBSC study celebrated its 40th anniversary !
