Health of Children from Different Socio-Economic Backgrounds Widens
- 31 May
Research shows that health inequalities between richest and poorest children in more pronounced.
Despite efforts to tackle health inequalities across different socio-economic groups, research shows the gap has widened in the last decade and officials need to make a concerted effort to narrow it.
The research based on data from the Health Survey for England comparing children from birth to age 24 to see whether the efforts to tackle health inequalities in children has worked.
The evidence they found when comparing children of different socio-economic background showed that it had not decreased but in fact there was evidence that showed an increase in the gap.
It is also expected to rise futher in the coming years following an increase in poverty as a consequence of the recession and changes in the financial climate
The authors of the report say that officials need to make a concerted effort to lessen the gap between the health of richer and poorer children to compensate for the rise in poverty.
The researchers, from University College London's Institute of Child Health and London's Imperial College NHS Trust, analysed the data from between 1999 and 2009 from reports of general health, the presence of a long-standing illness as well as whether they were smokers or obese.
The results are disappointing as ministers have set up a series of proposals intending to reduce the inequalities between 1999 and 2009, including increases to benefit payments and higher spending on health, education and housing and a number of initiatives such as the Sure Start centres for low-income families.
The researchers say this is not enough as the results show the gap widening.
The report says:
The national programme between 1999 and 2009 was not successful in reducing inequality in four key indicators of health status and future health risk among children and young people.
Whereas inequality in infant mortality decreased over this period, we found that inequality in general health, long-standing illness, smoking and obesity among children and young people either remained unchanged or increased between 1999 and 2009.
We propose that expected increases in child poverty may exacerbate the challenge of reducing child health inequalities in the future and we call for a concerted policy response.Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter said:
Every child should have the same opportunity to be healthy, no matter where they live or who they are.
There is now a legal duty for the NHS to tackle health inequalities and I recently announced the expansion of family nurse partnerships so that 16,000 of the most disadvantaged families can have more help and support.
There are also over 1,000 more health visitors compared to 2010.
Related articles
- 19 Aug
New supported housing facility to be built in Middlesbrough
The site has been developed by Riverside to provide supported housing, comprising of 20 self-contained flats for social housing and training facilities to support people into employment, reports the...
- 17 Aug
Supported living accommodation plans submitted in Leamington Spa
HB Villages Developments Ltd have made the application which will include a two-storey residential building of 16 self-contained one bedroom supported living apartments, reports The Leamington...
- 14 Aug
Young people in Sheffield given help to live independently
The course is run by Guinness Care and Support at the Sheffield Foyer, which is a 60-room scheme that provides accommodation for young people aged between 16-25 such as care leavers and young...
- 14 Aug
A new supported living scheme has opened in Paignton
Bridgman House has been opened to provide care for up to eight young people in transition from the family home, education or residential care, reports The Torquay Herald.The property is in the town...
- 13 Aug
Homelessness charity opens furniture shop in Nailsworth
Emmaus Gloucestershire has opened a shop in Nailsworth that sells upcycled furniture, allowing customers to have the opportunity to bring old furniture in to be restored or adapted to particular...
- 05 Aug
Restaurant in London helps to tackle youth homelessness
Alone in London, a charity that provides support, training and mediation for young homeless people and young people at risk of homelessness has joined forces with The Breakfast Club to create a...
- 04 Aug
Housing group’s supported housing contract extended
Progress Housing Group provide supported housing and support services for women and children fleeing domestic violence and young people facing homelessness, reports 24dash.Progress Housing manage a...
- 30 Jun
Empty homes fund launched by Scottish Government
The fund is to be used to revamp empty homes and convert derelict commercial spaces into affordable housing, reports Inside Housing. Under the scheme housing associations will be able to apply for...
- 22 Jun
People with vulnerabilities to receive support from new care scheme
People with vulnerabilities and people who are socially isolated in Reading are set to benefit from a new scheme run by GPs and Age UK, reports Get Reading. North West Reading NHS Clinical...
- 18 Jun
New initiative sees young people create food parcels for the homeless
The group of eight young people from Charles England House, a specialist young people’s housing scheme run by Merlin, put together 50 food parcels, reports 24dash.This new project is part of a new...
Support Solutions 5th National Housing Support & Social Care Conference 2014 The conference tackled todays issues at provider level, and provided knowledgeable people to present the workshops. A.L - Caraston Hall
