Research from the Nuffield Foundation
The Nuffield Foundation’s Changing face of early childhood series brings together the research evidence on early childhood in the UK and presents recommendations for policy and practice, as well as priorities for research.
The latest review in the series has recently been published. It explores the significant developments in young children’s health over the last 20 years, focusing on seven fundamental indicators. While the review identifies improvements across these indicators, progress has recently stalled – and in some cases the situation has deteriorated.
Two key themes underpin the series. The first is the changing nature of family and family circumstances and the implications for the economic security, development and wider well-being of young children. The second is the inequality and asymmetries in experience and life chances, including disparities between advantaged and disadvantaged families with young children. This summary presents the key learning from a review of the evidence on trends in young children’s health over the last 20 years.
The review focuses on seven fundamental indicators
- infant mortality
- immunisations
- breastfeeding
- obesity and overweight
- oral health
- mental health and emotional well-being
- respiratory health.
While the review identifies improvements across these indicators, progress has recently stalled – and in some cases the situation has deteriorated. Indeed, inequalities are growing across many of our indicators. Rather than cause for dismay, this review finds evidence of policies that work, with the potential to reduce inequalities and improve the life chances of many young children.