Expectant mothers and fathers are being failed by the UK Government’s “outdated” public health plans leaving them unprepared for parenthood, a new report has warned.
The review by Children’s Alliance, with the University of Southampton, found that women and men are unaware of how poor personal health can impact their babies’ early development – with many overweight and still smoking or drinking at the start of pregnancy.
Findings also show that public health messages about preparing for pregnancy and protecting infants before birth are often overlooked by frontline professionals and not taught by the national school curriculum.
The report’s authors are now calling for preconception care in the UK – which supports women prior to pregnancy and parenthood – to be included at all stages of the Government’s health strategy.
Lead author Helen Clark from Children’s Alliance said fixing preconception care would leave a worthy legacy for whichever political party puts it in their election manifesto.
She added: “Studies have shown us that parents who practice good health prior to and in pregnancy give their children the best start to life and are more likely to be healthier growing up. Ill health costs money and, as we saw recently from the Office for National Statistics, two-and-a-half-million people are not working due to health problems.
“Throwing money at outdated public health policies won’t work. Improving preconception care is the smart 21st-century approach the NHS should take – indeed a ‘revolution’ that will cut future waiting lists and won’t break the bank either.”
The new Preconception Care Strategy was jointly created by Children’s Alliance together with health professionals and academics at several UK universities, including Southampton, to improve life chances for children.
Data highlighted in the study revealed mass inequalities among wealthy and disadvantaged families alike – with 24 per cent of stillbirths attributable to socioeconomic deprivation.
As many as nine out of 10 women in England enter pregnancy with at least one indicator that risks the health of the child, while only 27 per cent of mothers take folic acid before conceiving. Other results showed:
University of Southampton Professor Keith Godfrey, from the National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, was a lead contributor to the report and said: “A child’s first 1,000 days is integral to their lifelong physical and mental health, development and resilience.
“Preparation for parenthood is crucial for levelling up opportunities for children and can help tackle disparities in their health. However, preconception care remains undervalued in the UK and the Government’s health policies have either failed to help people of reproductive age or are too late for women entering maternity care.”
The report’s authors have published a five-point action plan for government and health officials to improve the health of expectant parents.
CONTACT: University of Southampton media manager James Haigh: j.haigh@soton.ac.uk or (+44) 7584 368684
NOTES TO EDITORS
Children’s Alliance, the Water Babies foundation, in partnership with the University of Worcester, hosted our 2023 conference on Monday 26th June 2023.
Are you concerned about your child’s future? Would you like to shape a collective voice to support a pathway from healthy child to healthy adult? The Children’s Alliance is dedicated to a society that prioritises children and young people and the conference aims to explore how supporting the health and welfare of children in the early stages will result in a more productive future society.
Our conference aims to shape a collective voice from child-centric concerns, business and education that is capable of articulating compelling ways in which to support a pathway from healthy childhood development to wellness throughout the life course, so that the socioeconomic ambitions of our wider society are fully realised.
CEO and Founder of Omar Inspires: Omar Sharif is the CEO and Founder of Omar Inspires. He is one of the UK’s youngest, most sought-after speakers. Since winning the Pride of Britain award, Omar has been hand-picked to consult for HM King Charles III. He has delivered keynotes both nationally and internationally to share his messages of adversity and breakthrough.
Lenny Woodard is one of over 200 ex-rugby players publicising the fact that the governing bodies of rugby and other sports, have failed to protect past and present sporting professionals from brain injuries. Lenny, a former ‘dual-code’ professional was diagnosed with early onset dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Mick as the University of Worcester Pro Vice Chancellor: Partnerships, has an oversight of the arrangements for partnership management. He leads on the development and delivery of University transformative educational partnerships.
Scott is Head of Worcester Business School and a Principal Lecturer in Leadership and Business. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Chartered Manager. In 2022, he was awarded the Chartered Management Institute’s ‘Champion of the Year.’
Sallyann has 25 year’s experience of working with children, young people and families. She holds an MSC in Child and Family Mental Health, a PGD in Public Mental Health.
Dr Alison Murray began her teaching career in the UK; then became a teacher educator in Mexico before taking up posts as a physical educator across all levels in the US.
Dr Amanda Norman is a Senior Lecturer in Education (Early Years) at the University of Winchester. She is an author of books about the earliest years and has published on infant care pedagogies inacademic peer reviewed and professional practice articles.
Kirsty is the current secretary for the Early Childhood Education, Special Interest Research Group within the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP).
Jean Barlow is a highly qualified innovative and experienced teacher, author and educational consultant who has long promoted a nurturing approach to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children
Dr Estelle Mackay, a Public Health Nutritionist and Churchill Fellow has a long term interest in child obesity. Focusing on school meal provision, food inequalities and healthier food environments.
Emma Bayou is the Founder & CEO of Miindfulness CIC, an organisation committed to children & young people’s mental health.
Viki Veale is a senior lecturer in Early Years and Primary Education at St Mary’s University in Twickenham. She is a qualified teacher who has worked extensively with young children and their families.
Dr Pamela Murray excels in the enhancement of student and client performance using a combination of experiential, educational and psychological development methodologies.
The Family and Community Report identifies the need for a change in approach so that children and young people are at the forefront of policy. This is a great opportunity for a new government to make this a priority. Check out our press release or read the report here.