UK children will be one of unhealthiest generations in decades, doctors say | Children’s health

Children in the UK will grow up to be one of the unhealthiest generations in the coming decades, with child health outcomes declining or stalling across the board, a group of leading paediatricians have said.

Analysis has found that declining vaccination rates, as well as rising hospital admissions for asthma and mental health disorders, are contributing factors to the UK’s child health record, which should be seen as a “national embarrassment”.

The report, published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), analyzed 12 globally recognized indicators of child health and wellbeing, including infant mortality rates, oral health, obesity, immunization rates, the prevalence of mental health disorders and asthma rates. Child health outcomes in the UK have stagnated significantly across all measures, making children in the UK among the unhealthiest in Western Europe.

For example, only 84% of children in the UK receive two doses of the MMR vaccine by the age of five; This is below the World Health Organization’s 95% target and makes the UK the worst performing country among the G7 countries. The UK also has one of the highest asthma-related death rates in Europe. According to the report, infant mortality rates in the UK have improved little since 2023 and remain higher than in other European countries.

The report finds there are significant inequalities across the UK that are exacerbating the already poor health of children. Rates of both infant mortality and obesity were found to be more than double in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived.

RCPCH health promotion officer Dr. “The UK’s record on child health should be a national embarrassment,” said Helen Stewart. “Many other countries in Western Europe are achieving better outcomes for children, but here too many children are being left behind. The State of Children’s Health report shows that we are categorically failing children in the UK, especially children from ethnic minorities and poorer backgrounds.”

Stewart appears to have called on Andy Burnham, who is expected to become prime minister on July 20, to prioritize the issue. “The new government has a chance to be bold on child health. Without action, more children will grow up unhealthy, enter adulthood at a disadvantage and put greater pressure on families and public services,” he said.

“The new government must determine in its first 100 days how to make children’s health a priority through sustained investment, better use of data and clear national targets. Paediatricians have laid out the plan, now policymakers need to listen.”

Along with its analysis, the report also includes a survey by YouGov; this survey reveals that only 12% of parents believe children’s health has improved over the past 10 years; This shows that where progress is made, it is not felt by families.

The RCPCH called on the government to take a range of measures, including greater investment in child health services and the workforce, improving the way 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.

Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of the health charity King’s Fund, said the report should be seen as a “wake-up call”.

“Unless urgent and sustained action is taken, there is a real risk that today’s children will suffer worse health than previous generations,” he said.

“This report paints a deeply worrying picture of child health across the UK. It is a stark reminder that inequalities in health start early in life and can shape health, wellbeing and opportunities for years to come. Whether it is infant mortality, obesity, mental health or vaccine uptake, the evidence is clear that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to experience poorer outcomes.”

A government spokesman said: “After a decade of neglect, too many children – especially those growing up in the poorest communities – continue to experience poorer health outcomes than they should. That’s why this government is taking decisive action to lift children out of poverty, tackle health inequalities and raise the healthiest generation of children ever.”

“As well as ending the two-child limit, we are expanding mental health support in schools and colleges, opening family centers and local health centers and protecting children with tougher rules on advertising for cigarettes, vapes and junk food.

“We’re also giving primary school pupils a healthier start to the day with free breakfast clubs and providing a free school meal for every child in a household receiving universal credit.”