Scotland’s “appalling” record on child health has been exposed in a major study as among the poorest in western Europe.

Experts have called on ministers to commit to more action on tackling smoking, obesity and child mortality, with poverty identified as the main cause of poor health.

The State of Child Health - Scotland report found more than 210,000 children live in poverty, 28 per cent are overweight or obese, and around 400 die each year in Scotland - with a significant number of deaths potentially avoidable.

Compiled by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the report also shows almost 30 per cent of pregnant women in the most deprived areas are smokers.

The report looks at 25 health rates including asthma, diabetes and epilepsy, as well as obesity, breastfeeding and mortality, to provide a snapshot of health and wellbeing.

It said Scotland leads the way with high vaccination rates, few cases of tooth decay and a decline in suicide rates amongst young people. But it adds: "Child health in Scotland is amongst the poorest in western Europe.

Dr Steve Turner, RCPCH officer for Scotland, said the Scottish Government had repeatedly said children were a priority, and he described its focus on strong early years provision as heartening.

However, he added: "But there are significant gaps and the problem of health inequalities is continuing to grow.

"It is startling that over 29 per cent of pregnant women in the most deprived areas are smokers, compared to just 4.5 per cent in the least deprived, putting babies at risk of complications during pregnancy and birth and increasing the likelihood of cot death or still birth.

"Before a child is even born they are set on a path to ill health. This simply cannot be allowed to continue."

The report recommends extending the smoking ban to school grounds, sport fields and playgrounds, raising awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, and measuring child health rates more regularly.

Dr Turner added: "In addition to specific actions, we want to see Scottish Government adopt a 'child health in all policies' approach. That means that whatever policies are made, from whatever Government department, they must consider the impact on child health.”

Monica Lennon, Scottish Labour’s inequalities spokesman, said it was “simply appalling” that after a decade of the SNP in power, Scotland had such a poor record on child health.

She added: “This report highlights the failings of the SNPs decade in power to halt the impact deprivation has on a raft of health and wellbeing issues from smoking to breastfeeding.”

Alex Cole-Hamilton, for the Liberal Democrats, said that unless dramatic steps were taken, poor health risked damaging the prospects of an entire generation of children. 

He said: “Ministers must deliver the step change in child mental health that we so desperately need as well promoting initiatives such as physical activity and healthy eating, to give children the best possible start in life.”

The Scottish Government said it was committed to ensuring the best start in life for children, and highlighted progress in changing relationships with tobacco and alcohol.

Aileen Campbell, the public health minister, added: "The State of Child Health report recommendations provide focus to develop this further; including delivering on our Programme for Government a commitment to produce a child health and wellbeing strategy. We look forward to working with RCPCH to take this forward to improve all children's health over the next 10 years and beyond.”

Source: The Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/26/scotlands-child-health-among-worst-europe/