The United Kingdom is facing a significant decline in child health, with a report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) warning that the nation is on course to raise one of the unhealthiest generations in decades. The comprehensive 'State of Child Health 2026' report indicates that children's health is deteriorating or stagnating across all major indicators, including obesity, mental illness, tooth decay, and vaccine uptake.
This trend places the UK among European nations with the worst outcomes for children, who are increasingly developing conditions previously associated with adulthood. The RCPCH urges the government to prioritize children's health and cease treating it as an afterthought, or risk failing another generation.
The report highlights significant health disparities between children from the most and least deprived communities. It assesses child health and wellbeing across 12 domains: infant mortality, child mortality, immunisations, early childhood development, oral health, obesity, mental health, emotional health and wellbeing, vaping and smoking, asthma, substance misuse, and injuries.
Dr. Helen Stewart, officer for health improvement at RCPCH, stated that the UK's record on children's health should be a national embarrassment, particularly given that many other Western European countries achieve better outcomes. She emphasized that the report demonstrates a categorical failure to support children in the UK, with those from ethnic minorities and poorer backgrounds being disproportionately affected. Without intervention, more children are expected to enter adulthood in poor health, placing further strain on families and public services.
The report details a notable rise in probable mental health disorders among 8 to 16-year-olds, increasing from 12.5% in 2019 to 20.3% in 2023. However, access to school-based mental health support has worsened, with children often not receiving assistance until they reach a crisis point.
Concerns are also mounting over the use of e-cigarettes among young people. Approximately 27% of girls and 22% of boys aged 11 to 15 have tried e-cigarettes, with clinicians observing adverse health effects. One doctor reported treating a 6-year-old for severe bronchiectasis who was found using a parent's vape.
Vaccination rates for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine are also a concern, with only 84% of children receiving two doses by age five, falling short of the World Health Organization's 95% target. This decline increases the risk of potentially fatal diseases spreading.
Obesity rates are also high, with one in three 10 and 11-year-olds classified as overweight or obese. Furthermore, a fifth of five-year-olds suffer from tooth decay, and childhood alcohol use is reported as widespread and increasing. Pediatricians are also observing a rise in referrals for speech and language delays, sleep difficulties, nutritional deficiencies, and behavioral issues.
Infant mortality rates in the most deprived communities are more than double those in the least deprived areas, and mortality among one to 17-year-olds is nearly double. Polling commissioned by RCPCH indicates that only 12% of parents believe child health has improved over the last decade.
The report advocates for a reallocation of health spending to favor children's health, a funded workforce plan, improved national data collection and sharing, and binding national targets. It also calls for expanded water fluoridation, stricter controls on junk food advertising, increased mental health support in schools, tougher regulations on vape flavors and marketing, and a Clean Air Act.
Haroon Chowdry, chief executive of the Centre for Young Lives, noted that the long-held assumption of each generation being healthier than the last is no longer true. Sebastian Rees, head of health at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), stated that this report confirms the UK's status as the 'sick man of Europe' begins at a very early age.
Dame Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner for England, commented that too many children are being held back by circumstances beyond their control, leading to unhealthy childhoods and resulting tragedies for families. A government spokesperson responded by stating that they are taking decisive action to improve children's health, including lifting children out of poverty, tackling health inequalities, expanding mental health support in schools, opening family hubs and local health centers, and implementing tougher rules on smoking, vapes, and junk food advertisements. The government also highlighted initiatives such as free breakfast clubs for primary pupils and free school meals for children from households receiving Universal Credit.