Response to new report from the Academy of Medical Sciences

Today, the Academy of Medical Sciences published a new report – ‘Prioritising early childhood to promote the nation’s health, wellbeing and prosperity’ – which calls for urgent action to address the declining physical and mental health of children in the UK.

Health Equity North Academic Co-Directors, Professor Kate Pickett from the University of York and Professor David Taylor-Robinson from the University of Liverpool, who were co-lead authors on Child of the North Building a Fairer Future after COVID-19, respond to the new report and its findings.

“The new report from the Academy of Medical Sciences adds to the ever-increasing body of evidence highlighting the devastating effect of child poverty in this country. We absolutely agree that child health needs to be prioritised by policymakers.

“It is not acceptable that the infant survival rate in the UK is worse than in 60% of similar countries. All children should have a fair chance at life, but if child poverty isn’t addressed urgently this will sadly not be the case for many children.

“Poverty is the lead driver of inequalities between children in the North of England and the rest of country and the situation is getting worse as result of the pandemic and rising living costs.

“There needs to be urgent steps taken by government to put an end to child poverty, which we know from our recent reports is higher in the North of England.

“But there is hope. If we can lift the poorest out of poverty, it could have a huge impact on health over the life course. We want to see government commit to a range of targeted, evidenced-based policies and interventions that put children’s health and wellbeing at the heart. These need to make sure that families with children have enough money and security of income to meet their basic needs, have enough healthy food to eat and are able to live in warm homes.”