Strategy fails to address inequalities in child health

The Tackling Inequalities strategy was published in 2003, but the final evaluation of the work has cast doubt on its effectiveness.

Although there has been progress against most of the indicators that affect children and young people, the difference between outcomes for rich and poor has remained static in many cases.

The strategy is underpinned by a target to reduce inequalities by 10 per cent by 2010, measured by looking at infant mortality rates and life expectancy.

Between the 1997/99 baseline and 2004/06 infant mortality rates fell from 5.6 per 1000 to 4.8 per 1000 in the general population, and 6.3 per 1000 to 5.6 per 1000 among families from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The rate in the general population was 13 per cent higher than for disadvantaged groups in 1997/99, and rose to 19 per cent higher in 2002/04. It has now fallen to 17 per cent higher, but the evaluation notes that the 2010 target "is still a challenging one".

Other indicators relating to children and young people show a mixed picture. Teenage pregnancy rates have fallen, but there has been little change between rates for different social groups in relative terms. Road accident casualties follow the same trend.

There has been progress on narrowing the gap between the GCSE grades obtained by children from rich and poor backgrounds, and on child poverty.

Public health minister Dawn Primarolo said: "This report proves what we already know - health inequalities are difficult to change. We've set ourselves an ambitious target and we're the only country in the world to have a plan to reduce health inequalities."

She added that the government will publish a long term strategy to carry on the work later in the year.