The whole society approach: Making a giant leap on childhood health

Article

Health improved radically in the 20th century, but progress has since stalled.

The UK has the opportunity to make another ‘giant leap’ forward; to achieve this, the government will need to address growing levels of ‘health risk’ faced by children. Any progress would be good for health, business and the economy.

A recent increase in ambition, as shown by government's 'obesity strategy' announcement in July 2020, is good, but we must still go further and faster. In particular, we need to:

  • expand ambition from obesity to all health issues
  • tackle the link between childhood health and issues like marginalisation, poverty and deprivation
  • ensure we are using the full range of levers offered by a collective approach.

This report outlines what we call a ‘whole society’ approach, designed to make these gains.

Related items

  1. A group of teenage students wearing maroon t-shirts smiling and responding to a teacher during a rehearsal

    Rethinking child poverty through enrichment accounts

    Every child should have access to activities that build confidence, skills, and opportunity, regardless of income.
  2. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, River Thames and Westminster Bridge

    Taxing choices: Taking the public’s temperature ahead of the budget

    The stakes for a government are rarely higher than at a budget. Every chancellor has dealt with this differently. Ken Clarke would draft his budget speech with cigars and whisky, Gordon Brown pored over every word in what officials called…
  3. Scottish parliament building at Holyrood and Calton Hill, Edinburgh

    Great expectations: Rejuvenating the national debate in Scotland

    Fresh IPPR Scotland polling shows that politicians must raise their game if next year’s election is a to be serious debate about the challenges facing Scotland and potential solutions.