Giving our children the best possible start in life

WE all want long, happy and healthy lives for our children.

The foundations of good health and well-being are established during pregnancy and infancy, and built on in the school-age years.

During these crucial early years, interventions can help prevent a whole host of problems in later life, including poor physical and mental health, educational under-attainment and poverty.

Children’s health and well-being is a clear priority for this Government.

This is why we have introduced a Cabinet Secretary for Children, as well as ground-breaking legislation requiring every Minister to have regard to children’s rights.

We believe that no investment is more rewarding, and no activity more prudent, than preventing harm to our children using vaccines, health checks and supporting a positive family environment.

These actions are the bedrock for the health and well- being for future generations.

That is why I launched the Healthy Child Wales Programme.

Healthy Child Wales is a new programme that will ensure every child up to the age of seven receives consistent and universal health services in Wales.

At its core, the programme sets out what planned contacts children and their families can expect from their health boards – from birth to the first years of schooling.

These universal contacts cover three areas of intervention: screening, immunisation, and monitoring and supporting child development.

From October 1, all Welsh health boards have begun to implement Healthy Child Wales.

A consistent, all-Wales approach to prevention in the early years means reduced risk of children and families missing out from crucial vaccinations, screening and support when they move to a new area.

A main focus of the programme will be to ensure families get all the information and support they need to give children the best possible start in life.

We know that obesity is now becoming a challenge in childhood.

Changing patterns of behaviour have had an effect on children’s nutrition and levels of physical activity.

Data from the most recent Child Measurement Programme shows that most children are of a healthy weight and that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among reception age children in Wales remains stable.

However, at 26%, the prevalence is still too high, especially given that childhood obesity increases the likelihood of obesity and related health problems in later life.

We are taking a crossgovernment approach to tackling obesity, with a particular focus on children. We support a number of policies and initiatives that aim to improve access and uptake of a healthy diet and increase physical activity levels, including the new 10 steps to a healthy weight programme introduced by Public Health Wales.

Health visitors are a trusted support to families in Wales and through the Healthy Child Wales Programme they will continue to support and advise families on practical ways to eat well and stay active, to help children and young people develop healthy lifestyle habits for the future.

No one service working in isolation will achieve the positive impact on children’s health and well-being that we all want.

A key aspect of the success of the Healthy Child Wales Programme will be its partnership working with local authorities, communities, education and the third sector.

Being a parent can be challenging at times; when you are looking for support it is vital to have access to the right information and advice from professionals.

Healthy Child Wales brings together expertise and advice, screening and support to help everyone be the best parent they can be and ensure Welsh children get the best start in life.

Rebecca Evans AM is Minister for Social Services and Public Health