Health inequalities

Together with the International Child Health Group, we call on governments, donors and agencies to monitor and report the effects of the pandemic response on families and children, and to prioritise a new era of investment in robust, family-centred health systems.

The indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide could be catastrophic for children, with considerable excess death and suffering. In this joint statement from RCPCH Global and the International Child Health Group, published in August 2020, we call on governments, donors and agencies to mo...

A College statement welcoming the publication of stakeholder insights into the factors affecting the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, and what needs to happen now.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) stands with footballer Marcus Rashford and his campaign to make the government think again on the provision of free school meal vouchers for children this summer.

A joint report by RCPCH and the Royal College of Physicians suggests we need to do more to improve the quality of our indoor air.

The College warns that air pollution is the single greatest environmental threat to public health in the UK, and that it disproportionately affects children, young people, and more deprived communities. Our calls include the expansion of clean air zones in towns and cities, bringing forward our comm...

In 2018 we responded to the Department of Health and Social Care consultation on ending the sale of energy drinks to children as part of the ‘Childhood obesity: a plan for action’. We support a ban on the sale of energy drinks to children and young people.

The World Health Organization has described climate change as “the defining health challenge of our time”. We recognise the importance of using our collective voice as a College to support Government to take action. As we begin to experience the negative consequences of climate change at an increasi...

In 2018 we responded to the visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights in the UK. Our submission focused on certain questions asked, including the extent of child poverty in the UK and how its evolved, the implications and whether government response has been effective.