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Child health inequalities and poverty

The influence of poverty on children’s health and wellbeing is undeniable. With insight from paediatricians, children and young people, we outline our position on health inequalities to Government, and provide paediatricians with tools and learning opportunities to make a difference.

Our position, podcasts and case studies

Position statement: Child health inequalities driven by child poverty in the UK
Podcast: Talking with families about poverty
Podcast: Two quality improvement projects on poverty
Case studies: Summaries of projects addressing health inequalities

Learning opportunities

How to Manage: Childhood poverty - online course, 11 March
Poverty and the paediatrician: What can you do? - webinar recording
Understanding childhood poverty - webinar recording

Toolkit: Introduction

Illustrations of heads with thinking cogs and speech mark, on background with repeated icon of family - 'Toolkit'

1 - Improve your understanding of child poverty

Understand how child poverty is defined in the UK context, including evidence of how it drives health inequalities and affects child health outcomes.
Improve your understanding
Icons of three people with speech bubble; background with repeated icon of family - 'Toolkit'

2 - Develop skills for talking to families

Many paediatricians may find it difficult to raise questions about poverty with families. We give some tips to make this subject more approachable.
Develop skills
Icon of report with pie chart and checkmarks, with pen - with background of repeated icon of family

3 - Prepare your own QI project

Quality improvement (QI) can be used to improve NHS services that aim to reduce child health inequalities. Collaboration is key, and we outline factors to consider.
Prepare QI project
Icon of unrolled scroll with megaphone - on background of repeated icon of family - 'Toolkit'

4 - Advocate for change

Prevention is better than cure, and inequalities cannot improve without repairing the inherent problems in society. We offer key principles, plus the data to support your case.
Advocate for change
Icon of hand holding placard - background of repeated icon of family - 'Toolkit'

5 -Take national political action

Almost 1,100 members signed our letters to political leaders across the UK last autumn, and over 100 of you wrote to MPs across the UK calling on them to intervene in Parliament.
Find out more and take action
Icon of letter with pencil - background of repeated icon of family - 'Toolkit'

6 - Influence local children's services

Reducing child health inequalities is a priority for health services in all four nations. We provide a template letter, to which you can add your unique perspective, to help shape better care and outcomes locally.
Influence local children's services

"Everyone deserves the world"

RCPCH &Us asked 500 children and young people across the UK what helps them to stay healthy, happy and well. And to think about why some might have things going on that stops this from happening...

Download letter

News and blogs on health inequalities

More news