The health of a child in their first thousand days has lifelong impact. The first thousand days (stretching from gestation up to a child’s second birthday) are considered the most important for development and future health. Issues like low birthweight, oral health and nutrition, maternal health, health visiting cuts, and breastfeeding all have an impact.
Within London there are variations in breastfeeding rates. Women from black ethnic backgrounds and mothers born outside of the UK are significantly more likely to breastfeed despite many living in deprived circumstances.
The London Assembly Health Committee is investigating healthy early years and how we can give children in London the healthiest start to life.
- Breastfeeding rates are lower in London than England as a whole
- 9 in 10 children aged 2-4 years do not meet recommended levels of physical activity
- 105 per 10,000 0-4 year olds per year were admitted to hospital with unintentional or deliberate injuries [1]
- London has a slightly higher average of low birthweight than England as a whole (7.1 per cent and 6.8 per cent respectively).
- Children in London are least likely to receive the required number of health visits.[2] Recent surveys have highlighted increased workloads for public health nurses.
The following guests will answer questions:
- Dr Robert Nettleton, Education Advisor, Institute of Health Visiting
- Emily Arkell, Head of Health Policy, RCPCH
- George Hosking OBE, Founder, CEO and Research Co-ordinator, Wave Trust
- Geraldine Butler, Locality Manager West Haringey Health Visiting Service, Hornsey Central Health Central
- Kim Roberts, Chief Executive, HENRY
- Shabira Papain, Deputy CEO, Best Beginnings
The meeting will take place on Thursday 11 January at 2:00pm in the Chamber at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.The meeting can also be viewed via webcast.
Follow us @LondonAssembly and take part in the discussion using #AssemblyHealth and #HealthyStart.
Notes to editors
Notes for Editors:
- https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/evidence_base_for_a_healthy_early_years_programme_in_london_jan_2016.pdf
- The Best Start, p.6
- Full agenda papers
- Current investigation call for evidence: ‘Healthy early years’
- Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Chair of the Health Committee is available for interview. See contact details below
- London Assembly Health Committee
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Samuel Casserly on 020 7983 4603. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.