The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has found the health of our children is either stalling or declining in all of the 12 key areas in a new report
Britain is raising one of the unhealthiest generations of children in Europe, a damning new report has found.
Doctors say obesity, poor mental health, low vaccine uptake and infant mortality are among reasons we have one of the unhealthiest generations in decades. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) looked at the health of children across 12 indicators.
Nearly a decade after its first State of Child Health report, its latest analysis found that children’s health in the UK across all areas is either in decline or has stalled. Dr Helen Stewart, RCPCH officer for health improvement, said: “The UK’s record on children’s health should be a national embarrassment.
“Across 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.”
The report found:
- only 84% of children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine in England by age five, well below the WHO 95% target
- more than one in three children aged 10–11 are overweight or obese
- one in five children aged 8–16 has a probable mental health disorder
- children in the most deprived areas are four times more likely to die from asthma
- infant mortality in the most deprived communities is more than double that seen in the least deprived areas
The 12 child health indicators were infant mortality, child mortality, immunisations, early childhood development, oral health, obesity, mental health, emotional health and wellbeing, vaping and smoking, asthma, substance misuse, injuries. Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England, said: “Children all over the country want to grow up healthy, happy, and able to fulfil their potential yet too many children are being held back by circumstances beyond their control, and too many families are experiencing tragedy.
“Factors such as where children live and family finances shouldn’t determine whether they can have a healthy start in life. But some of our poorest children are facing the greatest barriers to good health.
“This important report shows that the country is not only overseeing a decline in children’s health but also failing to uphold their rights. Improving children’s health and wellbeing must be at the heart of government decision making.”
The report found tooth decay affects 22% of five-year-olds with progress in improving child oral health stalling since 2020. Just 57% of children saw an NHS dentist in the last 12 months.
The British Dental Association is calling for NHS dentistry to be properly funded with an increase of £1.5 billion so it enough for everyone to see an NHS dentist who needs one. Eddie Crouch, BDA chair, said: “This report spells out what we all know that oral disease and deprivation go hand in hand. But this isn’t inevitable, and that link can be broken if the government is willing to double down.
“Tried and tested programmes like supervised brushing will make an impact here, but we need a joined-up approach, both to prevent disease and nip problems in the bud. Until ministers step up, universal access to NHS dentistry for children will remain just a myth, and many will keep paying the price.”
A government spokesperson said: “Following a decade of neglect, too many children – particularly those growing up in the most deprived 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’re expanding mental health support in schools and colleges, opening family hubs and local health centres and protecting children through tougher rules on smoking, vapes, and junk food ads.
“We’re also giving primary pupils a healthier start to the day with free breakfast clubs and providing free school meals to every single child from a household in receipt of Universal Credit.”