Dortmund (dpa / lnw) – What influence does growing up in the district of the Ruhr area have on children’s health? Are there more chronically ill children in some parts of the city – and if so, why? Experts will deal with these and other questions relating to socio-spatial inequalities in the Ruhr area regions and the possible influence on the health situation, especially of children and young people, at the seventh Ruhr area congress on child and youth health this Saturday in Dortmund. This was announced by the organizers of MedEcon Ruhr on Thursday.
For the seventh time, stakeholders from various professions and communities come together to exchange ideas and set political priorities for the health of young people in the region. In addition to the motto “Growing up healthy in the Revier”, the congress has another key topic of great importance: child protection.
Against the background of increasing reports about “large networks of pedo-criminals”, the topic is particularly topical. Experts also assume that there is a high number of unreported cases of sexualized and other violence against children and young people. Children with disabilities in particular are “exposed to an increased risk of experiencing abuse, neglect or various forms of violence,” according to MedEcon. Congress wanted to focus on the need for special protection for this group, it said.
Doctors, pediatric medical societies and professional associations want to present a position paper entitled “Anchoring child protection in the health system” in Dortmund. The aim is to make it clear to politicians which framework conditions must be created “so that the health system can take responsibility and make its contribution to child protection”.
The congress will be opened on Saturday (10:00 a.m.) by the mayor of Dortmund, Thomas Westphal (SPD).
