(UK) "Britain is raising one of the unhealthiest generations of children in Europe"
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
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. . . .
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