By Grace Olugbodi-
Britain is “failing its children”, leading experts have warned in a new report which calls for the health system to do more to prevent ill health among children. The report, from the Institute of Health Equity (IHE) and children’s charity Barnardo’s, highlights how children in the UK have “some of the worst health outcomes in Europe”.
It says that the health and wellbeing of children and young people have been “deteriorating” for around 15 years and how there have been “widening health inequalities” among children depending on their wealth and ethnic background. Writing the foreword of the report, leading health expert Professor Sir Michael Marmot said: “England is failing its children.
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Rukshana Kapasi, director of health, quality and inclusion at Barnardo’s, said: “Every day across Barnardo’s services, we see children who are full of potential but held back by circumstances they cannot control. Poverty, unsafe housing and unequal access to support mean these children are missing out on a good childhood and are more likely to have poor health and fewer chances in life.
“The social gradient in child health is steep and widening. Too many children are growing up in cold, overcrowded homes, breathing polluted air, experiencing food insecurity, and lacking nurturing activities fundamental to healthy development.
“We simply don’t think that’s fair. Our report and findings released today show that change is possible. Now we need national leadership to scale that change, so that every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
“These are the social determinants of health and they shape not only childhood, but health and life chances across the whole life course.”
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“These are the social determinants of health and they shape not only childhood, but health and life chances across the whole life course.”
The Children and Young People’s Health Equity Collaborative (CHEC), including the IHE, Barnardo’s and three local health bodies, was established to help show how the healthcare system “can do much more to improve the social determinants” of health. The new report, which is being launched at an event focusing on child health at The King’s Fund, highlights a number of initiatives where the NHS has worked with charities and the voluntary sector to help children in deprived areas.
The number of children living in relative poverty (after housing costs) has increased significantly since 2010, with almost half of children in working lone-parent families now affected.
A steep and widening social gradient means children from the most deprived areas experience significantly worse health outcomes, including higher rates of obesity, tooth decay, and A&E visits compared to their wealthier peers. Many low-income families struggle to afford essentials, impacting children’s nutrition and access to activities that support healthy development and self-esteem.
Overall, the health and well-being of children and young people have been deteriorating for around 15 years, with specific alarming trends:
The prevalence of probable mental disorders in children and young people has risen dramatically, from around 1 in 8 in 2017 to about 1 in 5 in 2023. The UK has the lowest life satisfaction scores for 15-year-olds in Europe. Alarming trends include the average height of 5-year-olds falling since 2013, a significant increase in Type 2 diabetes among the under 25s, and high infant mortality rates relative to other European nations. Declining consumption of key micronutrients and a rise in sugar intake have contributed to the obesity epidemic, a leading cause of disability in the UK.
Successive governments have been criticised for a piecemeal approach and a lack of long-term vision, often exacerbated by austerity measures and funding cuts.
The health visiting workforce has decreased significantly since 2015, and the real-term value of the public health grant has fallen, leading to inconsistent and reduced access to critical early years services. Academic pressure, exam worries, and a lack of adequate pastoral support in schools have also been identified as major stressors contributing to declining happiness with school life and mental health problems.
Some organisations like BeGenio have been set up to help children get maths confident and increase opportunities and life chances for a successful future with employers.
BeGenio for example is particularly helping to mentor young people in schools that are at risk of being excluded or that have Special Education Needs, as well as care-experienced young people.
Vulnerable children in the social care system have experienced a lack of stable support and limited say in decision-making, with some living in unregistered homes with minimal oversight.
Reports from leading charities like The Children’s Society and The Food Foundation urge the government to implement a national, long-term strategy for children’s well-being to reverse these trends and ensure all children have the chance to thrive.
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