Health at a Glance 2017
OECD Indicators
This new edition of Health at a Glance presents the most recent comparable data on the health status of populations and health system performance in OECD countries. Where possible, it also reports data for partner countries (Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Indonesia, Lithuania, Russian Federation and South Africa). The data presented in this publication come from official national statistics, unless otherwise stated.
This edition contains a range of new indicators, particularly on risk factors for health. It also places greater emphasis on time trend analysis. Alongside indicator-by-indicator analysis, this edition offers snapshots and dashboard indicators that summarise the comparative performance of countries, and a special chapter on the main factors driving life expectancy gains.
Smoking and alcohol consumption among children
Smoking and excessive drinking during adolescence have both immediate and long-term health consequences. Establishing smoking habits early on increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and cancer (Currie et al., 2012). Smoking during adolescence has immediate adverse health consequences, including addiction, reduced lung function and impaired lung growth, and asthma (Inchley et al., 2016). It is also associated with an increased likelihood of experimenting with other drugs, as well as engaging in other risky behaviours (O’Cathail et al., 2011). Early and frequent drinking and drunkenness is associated with detrimental psychological, social and physical effects, such as dropping out of high school without graduating (Chatterji and DeSimone, 2005).
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