Study finds infant mortality rise linked to poverty as medics warn of 'crisis'
Infant mortality rates have soared under the Tories while extreme child poverty trebled in three years with progress on child health stalling, a bombshell report says.
The scathing document found the UK's infant survival rate is worse than in 60% of similar countries, while widespread inequality is set to make the situation worse in years to come. Rising child poverty is partly to blame for the increase, experts found, while 2021 saw the first rise in perinatal mortality for seven years.
Latest figures show there are four deaths per 1,000 live births in the UK - more than double the 1.7 in Japan and 1.8 in Finland, Slovenia and Sweden. This was up from 3.9 for every year between 2013 and 2018.
Ministers face calls to urgently address an "appalling decline" in children's health following the Academy of Medical Sciences report. The wide-ranging study found more than a fifth of five-year-old children are overweight or obese, while demand for mental health services have soared.
It also said one-in-four children are affected by tooth decay, while vaccination rates have plummeted. Among a string of recommendations is a call to address a fall in child and family care workers in the NHS.
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Dr Mike McKean, Vice President for Health Policy of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "This report provides alarming evidence that the UK is failing too many of its children. We are presiding over a crisis in child health that demands urgent action. As paediatricians, we witness daily the devastating consequences of these systemic failures.
"Without transformative intervention on child health, we condemn generations to a poorer future. The time for excuses is over – government must act decisively to address this crisis.”
And report co-chair, Professor Helen Minnis, said: “Every child has the right to a safe and healthy childhood. It is shameful that the UK is failing to provide this. Child deaths are rising, infant survival lags behind comparable countries and preventable physical and mental health issues plague our youngest citizens.
"The science is clear – we are betraying our children. 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.” Prof Sir Andrew Pollard said he was alarmed by the "appalling decline in the health of our children", and warned of a "bleak" outlook for the future. He said: "It is time for big thinking and clear strategy by Government to protect the health and life chances of our children today and transform the future of our nation.”
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