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Child health inequalities driven by child poverty in the UK states RCPH

  • Area of Work: Policy and Research
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 8th August 2024
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RCPH has refreshed its position statement on child health inequalities driven by child poverty in the UK.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPH) has refreshed it position statement on child health inequalities driven by child poverty in the UK.  RCPCH makes the case that health must be a core consideration in the mission to tackle child poverty and improve outcomes for children and young people.

The influence of poverty on children’s health and wellbeing is undeniable. Progress to eradicate child poverty has been limited and one in four children in Scotland remain locked in poverty. Children living in poverty are more likely to have poorer health outcomes including higher risk of mortality, poor physical health, and mental health problems.

Living in poverty can create a self-perpetuating cycle as children growing up in low income households are at greater risk of ill health, which limits their education or employment opportunities and therefore makes it difficult for families to escape poverty. It is essential that health inequalities driven by poverty are addressed to improve child health outcomes, as well as reduce costs to the NHS in the long term.

The statement outlines the state of child poverty in the UK today, the impacts on child health, and sets out a number of recommendations for the Scottish Government, which include: 

  • Conducting a full review of the child health workforce to ensure it is sufficiently resourced, funded and is focussed on tackling inequalities. This review must include the creation of a bespoke child health workforce strategy.   
  • Improving access to and providing long-term, stable funding for cross-sector community-based services, resources and advice for children, young people, and families to support their health and wellbeing. 
  • Expanding the Young Patients Family Fund to include both in and outpatients to help a greater number of families met the costs of attending hospital.  
  • Increasing the Scottish Child Payment as a minimum to £30, increasing to £40 per week within in the lifetime of this parliament to help families in need.   
  • Expanding the free school meals scheme to all primary school children as soon as possible.
  • Actioning all measures contained in the Best Start, Bright Futures Plan and ensure these actions are appropriately resourced and funded to meet the 2030 child poverty targets.  

Read the position statement in full here.

Please contact gemma.richardson@rcpch.ac.uk if you wish to discuss the content of the statement.

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