UK children will be one of unhealthiest generations in decades, doctors say<\/p>\n
Analysis of 12 indicators including asthma, obesity and vaccination finds child health is \u2018national embarrassment\u2019<\/p>\n
Children in the UK will grow up to be one of the unhealthiest generations in decades, with child health outcomes having declined or stalled completely across all areas, a group of leading paediatricians has said<\/p>\n
Reduced vaccination rates alongside rising hospital admissions for asthma and <a href="https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/?p=4717" title="\u2018It's time to say goodbye\u2019: Gary Stevenson pauses YouTube channel amid mental health<\/a> struggles”>mental health<\/a> disorders are all contributing factors to the UK\u2019s record on children\u2019s health, which should be seen as a \u201cnational embarrassment\u201d, their analysis has found<\/p>\n Yet another wake-up call on declining child health The report, published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), analysed 12 globally recognised indicators of child health and wellbeing including infant mortality rates, oral health, obesity, vaccination rates, the prevalence of mental health disorders and asthma rates. Child health outcomes across the UK had significantly stagnated across all metrics, portraying the UK\u2019s children as among the unhealthiest in western Europe.<\/p>\n For example, only 84% of children in the UK receive two doses of the MMR vaccine by age five, which is below the World Health Organization\u2019s 95% target and makes the UK the worst performing of G7 nations. The UK also has one of the highest asthma-related mortality rates in Europe. Infant mortality rates in the UK have shown little improvement since 2023 while remaining higher than in other European countries, according to the report.<\/p>\n A graph showing an increasing prevalence of obesity between the most and least deprived year 6 children in England since 2007<\/a><\/p>\n Significant inequalities exist across the UK, exacerbating the poor health children are already experiencing, according to the report. Rates of both infant mortality and obesity were found to be more than<\/a> twice as high in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived<\/p>\n \u201cThe UK\u2019s record on children\u2019s health should be a national embarrassment,\u201d said Dr Helen Stewart, the RCPCH officer for health improvement. \u201cAcross western Europe, many other countries are achieving better outcomes for children, yet too many children here are being left behind. The State of Child Health report shows that we are categorically failing children in the UK, but especially those from ethnic minorities and poorer backgrounds.\u201d<\/p>\n Stewart appeared to appeal to Andy Burnham, who is expected to become prime minister on 20 July, to prioritise the issue. \u201cThe new government has a chance to be bold on child health. Without action, more children will grow up in poor health, entering adulthood at a disadvantage and putting even greater pressure on families and public services,\u201d she said<\/p>\n \u201cIn its first 100 days, the new government should set out how it will make children\u2019s health a priority through sustained investment, better use of data and clear national targets. Paediatricians have provided the blueprint, now policymakers must listen.\u201d<\/p>\n A graph showing an increasing difference in levels of obesity between the most and least deprived year 6 children in England since 2010<\/a><\/p>\n Alongside its analysis, the report also included polling by YouGov, which found that only 12% of parents believe child health has improved over the past 10 years, suggesting that where progress has been made, it has not been felt by families<\/p>\n The RCPCH has called on the government to introduce various measures, including further investment in children\u2019s health services and the workforce, improving how child health data is collected and shared across the UK, and introducing binding national targets to improve child health outcomes and narrow the gap between the most and least deprived<\/p>\n Sarah Woolnough, cthe chief executive at health charity the King\u2019s Fund, said the report should be treated as a \u201cwake-up call\u201d<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n \u201cWithout urgent and sustained action, there is a real risk that today\u2019s children will experience poorer health than previous generations,\u201d she said<\/p>\n \u201cThis report paints a deeply worrying picture of children\u2019s health across the UK. It is a stark reminder that health inequalities begin early in life and can shape health, wellbeing and opportunities for years to come. Whether it is infant mortality, obesity, mental health or vaccination uptake, the evidence is clear that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to experience worse outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
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