The Academy of Medical Sciences has published a new report that highlights evidence of declining health among children under five years in the UK and has called on policymakers to take urgent action.
The new report highlights that children’s health has been overlooked in policy, the health service and research from pre-conception through pregnancy to the first five years of life.
Written by several child health experts, the new report, Prioritising Early Childhood to Promote the Nation’s Health, Well-being and Prosperity, warns the UK government of major health issues including infant mortality, obesity and tooth decay and highlights the economic prosperity of children’s health, which is estimated to cost at least £16bn a year.
According to the report, which involved perspectives from parents and carers, infant survival rates are worse than in 60% of similar countries and, between 2019 and 2022, the total number of children living in extreme poverty tripled.
Additionally, around one in four children is affected by tooth decay and vaccination rates have fallen below the safety thresholds, threatening outbreaks set out by the World Health Organization.
The report offers five recommendations for the government and policymakers to use to address the issues highlighted.
These include implementing effective early childhood interventions, establishing a unifying vision across the government to coordinate policies and resources, addressing the decline in the child and family health workforce and fragmentation, and ensuring the representation of diverse voices of children, parents and carers.
Professor Andrew Pollard, report co-chair and a fellow from the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci), said: “There is clear evidence in the report that tackling childhood health conditions, addressing inequalities and providing early years social support can change the future of health and prosperity.”
Professor Helen Minnis, report co-chair and FMedSci, said: “Unless the health of babies and young children is urgently prioritised, we condemn many to a life of poorer health and lost potential. The time to act is now.”
