Giving Children a Healthy Start, published last week by independent watchdog the Audit Commission, claims that government policies and programmes for the under-fives have failed to bridge the gap between disadvantaged and advantaged children, with children from deprived areas more likely to be obese and to have poor dental health.
The study found that local policies for children vary widely and minority groups are failing to access Sure Start Children's centres because they are unaware of the service or feel as if they are being judged by health professionals.
It also reveals that while there are fewer deaths in infancy and obesity rates are slowing down overall, England's infant mortality rate still remains higher than France, the Republic of Ireland or Spain.
Steve Bundred, chief executive of the Audit Commission, said, 'It's encouraging to see some improvement in the health of babies and young children, but the under-fives rarely seem a priority locally. Overall, the findings are disappointing. Children need a healthier start in life and policies are not delivering commensurate improvement and value for money.'
The Audit Commission is calling for a single set of local priorities to be agreed by those responsible for driving improvements in children's health, supported by a clear statement of Government policy.
The report also recommends councils and the NHS identify the amount they are spending in each area and review their targeting in order to help the most vulnerable groups, as well as monitoring the impact of the economic downturn on children's services.
Further information
'Giving Children a Healthy Start', www.audit-commission.gov.uk/prHealthyStart
