The Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study is an international collaborative study with the World Health Organization (WHO, Regional Office for Europe), conducted every four years in more than 50 countries. The aim of the study is to assess the health and health-related behavior of adolescents aged 11 to 15 years.
Since 2002, the Republic of North Macedonia has become an equal member of the international HBSC network, under the leadership of Lina Kostarova Unkovska. The research is used to obtain data on various aspects of students’ lives – from mental and physical health, through substance use and digital habits, to dietary habits and physical activity.
The HBSC study provides comparisons between countries (international context) and over time (trends), enabling continuous evaluation of health-related behaviors and contributing to the development of effective programs for the prevention and promotion of health at both national and regional levels.
The most recent survey was conducted in 2022, and during 2023 and 2024, several publications, trainings, and workshops were released. The next survey is planned for 2026.
Faculty of Philosophy, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje