“Children are the life blood of the nation, they’re absolutely vital for our future success as a country” Professor Aynsley-Green, National Clinical Director for Children 22 January 2003.

The health of our children is an important indicator and predictor of the health of the population of the region. Healthy children make healthy adults. The health of the mother has a great impact on the health of the child. There is much evidence that much adult disease has its roots in childhood therefore promoting children’s health must begin with promoting that of the mother.

Poverty has a huge impact on the health of children. The Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health stressed that childhood is a crucial time for health and that socio and economic factors such as poverty, education, housing and social exclusion have significant effects in later life.

The NHS Plan states, “The life expectancy of a boy born into the bottom social class is over nine years less than a boy born into the most affluent social class”. There is evidence that the incidence of childhood cancer is increasing and there are growing numbers of severely disabled children, most receiving little of no support. One in ten children have mental health problems although 75% do not get access to services. 30% of looked after children are not immunised and have poor dental health. Poor children are ten times more likely to suffer a severe head injury and 15 times more likely to die in a house fire than wealthy children.

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