Child health outcomes to decline over next decade, experts warn

Child health outcomes in England are set to get worse over the next 10 years unless a robust health strategy is implemented, a report has warned. A study published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) predicts that if current trends continue England will fall even further behind its European counterparts. Using long-term historical data to project child health outcomes in England for 2030, the report predicts that mortality rates could be as much as 140 per cent higher for infants than in comparable wealthy European countries. Reported mental health problems among children could also increase by 60 per cent, while attendances by young people at hospital accident and emergency departments could rise by up to 50 per cent. Read more.