A major report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) reveals children in the United Kingdom now face some of the worst health outcomes in Europe. The analysis shows progress has either stalled or worsened across all 12 key indicators, including obesity, vaccination rates, and mental health.
The RCPCH warns the UK is on track to raise one of the unhealthiest generations in decades. Key findings show only 84% of five-year-olds have received both MMR vaccine doses, missing the 95% World Health Organization target. More than one in three children aged 10-11 are overweight or obese, and one in five children aged 8-16 have a probable mental health disorder.
Inequalities are stark. Children in the most deprived areas are four times more likely to die from asthma, and infant mortality is twice as high in these communities. A YouGov poll for the RCPCH found just 12% of parents believe child health has improved over the past decade.
The RCPCH is calling for urgent government action, recommending sustained investment in children's health services, improved data collection, and clear national targets to narrow the deprivation gap. The calls come ahead of the UK's appointment of a new Prime Minister.