The six municipalities – Amersfoort, Hardenberg, the Kempengemeenten partnership (Bergeijk, Bladel, Eersel, Reusel-De Mierden), Súdwest-Fryslân, Texel and Urk – registered for a three-year pilot in 2018. They first travelled to Iceland for an exploratory visit. Subsequently, a baseline measurement was carried out in November 2018 among all 15- and 16-year-olds in the municipalities. The Icelandic questionnaire was used, asking about general well-being, relationships with parents and leisure activities, as well as substance use.
Last week, discussions were held on how measures and interventions could be developed together with the stakeholders. These can then be implemented in the coming period.
The first follow-up measurement will take place in November 2020. This is too early for definitive results, as the Icelandic model takes a long-term approach. However, the researchers hope to identify initial trends. According to Jeroen de Greeff, who works at the Trimbos Institute and is project leader of the Dutch pilot on the Icelandic approach, the first gains have already been made. “The baseline data were available quickly, which meant that the municipalities could immediately get to work with the up-to-date data and report back to the local stakeholders.”
He emphasises that the six municipalities were not so much struggling with problems, but rather saw the Icelandic prevention model as an opportunity to improve young people’s health. The municipalities are paying for the pilot themselves. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has made funding available to further investigate the Icelandic model. After the pilot, it will be considered whether it could also be an option for other Dutch municipalities.
The Icelandic prevention model
The Icelandic model does not consist of a fixed package of interventions or campaigns. Locally, the biggest problems and opportunities for addressing them are discussed. For example, to increase participation in sports and other leisure activities, Iceland developed a leisure card.
Every year, all young people in Reykjavík receive a card with a credit of approximately 400 euros; this credit can only be used for organised sports lessons and cultural activities. Another intervention specifically focuses on strengthening the parent-child relationship. At school, parents sign a ‘Parent Agreement’, in which they agree to twelve commitments. For example, parents promise to spend time with their children, show an interest in their children’s lives and make an effort to get to know their children’s friends.
Supported by national measures
In addition to this community-based approach, in which interventions are implemented at the local level, the national government has also committed to evidence-based measures to reduce substance use among young people. For example, the age at which young people can buy tobacco was raised from 16 to 18, and the age for purchasing alcohol was raised from 18 to 20. In addition, there has been a national anti-smoking campaign. The good results Iceland has achieved over the past 20 years are probably attributable to the combination of local and national actions.
Study visit
Glos Educatief, together with Arko Sports Media, is organising the Iceland study visit from 22 to 27 September. Naturally, the Icelandic prevention model will also receive considerable attention during the trip.
Interested? Email [email protected] or [email protected].