Health Care : Current Reviews

Data driven healthy weight services and the global context

2^nd Annual Congress and Medicare Expo on Primary Care & General Pediatrics

September 19-20, 2016 Phoenix, USA

Luke Allen

University of Oxford, UK

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Health Care: Current Reviews

Abstract:

The English National Childhood Measurement Program aims to establish the Body Mass Index (BMI) of approximately 1m school children every year. Data from this rolling initiative is used to inform the healthy weight services provided in the primary care setting across England. Data are also used to allow analysis of trends in growth patterns, and for as a vehicle for engaging children and families on matters of healthy weight. This national program that feeds into regional service planning is an excellent model for countries aiming to extend health coverage through better surveillance and strategic use of data. The model also provides cautionary lessons, as disadvantaged groups with the highest prevalence of obesity can be systematically excluded from data-collection: Schools for children with special needs are often exempted and BMI is an inappropriate measure of healthy weight in children with certain disabilities. Means for identifying and overcoming these barriers are discussed, along with the broader use of epidemiological surveillance in service of universal health coverage. The political economy of the British health system is discussed in reference to other models of provision around the world.

Biography :

Email: drlukeallen@gmail.com