UK Child Health Crisis Deepens, Experts Demand Urgent Action

A new report reveals a significant decline in the health of children under five in the UK, with experts calling for immediate government intervention.

British infants are more likely to die before their first birthday than in most other developed countries, with the UK ranking 30th out of 49 OECD countries for infant mortality.
The health of children under five in the UK has seen an 'appalling decline' due to factors such as obesity, tooth decay, and a rise in infant mortality, particularly in the poorest areas.
Experts attribute the worsening situation to a combination of the pandemic, the cost of living crisis, and a decade of austerity, stressing the need for a cross-government vision to tackle these issues.
The Academy of Medical Sciences report highlights the economic cost of not addressing children's poor health at at least £16.13 billion, urging for urgent prioritization of baby and young child health.
Government actions include reducing sugar in children's foods, investing in mental health services and dentistry, and cutting NHS waiting lists, but experts argue more comprehensive measures are needed.