The Brandenburg social index:: A tool for health and social reporting at regional and communal levels in the analysis of data of school beginners

A social index derived from examinations of prospective first graders is used for health reporting in the Federal State of Brandenburg. The Brandenburg social index consists of data from the medical examinations, which contain social anamnesis questions. Based on parents' education and employment, the social index is computed for each child and finally each child is assigned to a group of lower, middle or higher socioeconomic status. The simply made social index is not only used for analysing health and social inequalities but also for analysing the social situation and trends of young families. Social index data for prospective first graders have ben collected since 1994. Thus, the social index is part of the social reporting in Brandenburg. The present article illustrates with examples how the index is used. Finally, it is mentioned that the Brandenburg government uses the social index to control finances in the language promotion for kindergarteners in day-care centres.