Poverty and social disadvantages are often accompanied by long-lasting social and psychosocial strain on the well-being and health of children and adolescents. From a health policy point of view the rising poverty quotas among young people indicate a high need for action. The status of empirical research is insufficient, so that it is difficult to plan and undertake political measures. The National Health Survey for Children and Adolescents will provide data permitting differentiated analysis of relations between poverty, social inequality and health in the adolescent generation. To get a first impression of possible analyses, the present article demonstrates which information on the living situation will be ascertained in the National Health Survey for Children and Adolescents, and which theoretical and methodological considerations have been playing a role.