More than 1.8 million children and young people under 20 years live in London, representing nearly 1 in 4 (24%) of all the people in London. It is estimated that over the next 20 years the number of children and young people will increase to nearly 2 million, but the proportion will drop slightly as the number of older people in London will increase by more.

The ethnic background of children in London is different from that of England as a whole. Approximately half of pupils in maintained schools are white, compared with more than 80% nationally. Asians pupils represent 17% of London’s school children, more than twice as many as nationally (7%), whereas there are nearly five times as many black pupils in London (19%) than in England (4%). For more information see Ethnic Minorities.

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In 2004 the government published the white paper Every Child Matters: Change for Children, a new approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19. The aims are for every child to:

• have the support they need to be healthy
• stay safe
• enjoy and achieve
• make a positive contribution
• achieve economic well-being

This is achieved by placing children at the centre of policies and approaches involving children’s services and enabling organisations to work together in more integrated and effective ways. The website includes information about the many strands to the approach. Areas of work in ‘health’ include Healthy Schools, teenage pregnancy and child and adolescent mental health services.

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The main causes of death in children and young people in London are cancer, traffic accidents and diseases of the nervous system (such as meningitis).

The infant mortality rate (deaths within a year of birth) has fallen in London from 7.3 per 1000 live births in 1990-92 to 5.2 per 1000 in 2003-2005. It varies widely across boroughs in London and overall is higher in Inner than in Outer London.

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Smoking, drinking, diet and physical activity can affect the likelihood of developing a variety of illnesses including some cancers, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. In London, rates of drinking alcohol and smoking among children are lower than in other regions of England. Children in London eat more fruit and vegetables per day than in other parts of the country but are less likely to be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day.

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Obesity is an important risk factor in several chronic diseases including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, some cancers and Type 2 diabetes. In England, the proportion of children aged 2 to 10 who were obese rose from 10% in 1995 to 14% in 2003. In 2001-2002, London had one of the highest rates of obesity in children, at 18%.

The National Child Measurement Programme was established in 2005 to weigh and measure children in reception year (aged 4-5 years) and year 6 (aged 10-11 years). PCTs are required to collect data for the NCMP on an annual basis from all Local Education Authority maintained schools. In 2007/08 risk of obesity among children was 11% in reception year and 22% in year 6 children. Prevalence was higher in London than the England average.

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Teenage mothers are less likely than other teenagers to finish their education and find a good job. They are more likely than other mothers to raise their children alone and in poverty. Teenage parents have poorer ante-natal health, lower birth weight babies and higher mortality rates among their infants. In 2005 the teenage pregnancy rate in London (44.6 per 1000) was slightly higher than the national average (41.3 per 1000). Inner London had a much higher rate (52.6 per 1000) than Outer London (40.1 per 1000) but rates in Inner London have fallen by 21% since 1998 whereas in Outer London the rate has fallen by only 5%.

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In Great Britain there is a higher prevalence of mental health problems in children aged 5 to 16 who live in single parent households, particularly those where the parent was widowed, separated or divorced, or households containing step-children. Children living with parent(s) without qualifications or without a parent working also had high rates.

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Immunisations are an important part of preventive public health in children. In London, rates of all childhood immunisation but particularly MMR are low compared with other parts of the country. After a decline in uptake of MMR since 1998, rates are now starting to improve nationally and in London.

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Poverty is regarded as one of the most important determinants of health. London has the highest rate of child poverty (after housing costs) of all regions in England and trend data show that despite improvements nationally, in London the rate of child poverty remains high. In Inner London rates are particularly high and more than half of children live in poverty. The high rates are driven by levels of worklessness among London’s parents. Children at particular risk include those from Black and Bangladeshi ethnic groups, children of disabled parents and children of those not in work. For more information on poverty see the Income section of this website.

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In 2000 the government announced a road casualty reduction target for children: by 2010 the number of children killed or seriously injured should be reduced by 50% compared with a baseline of the average number in 1994-1998. This target was achieved in 2004 when the target was strengthened to a reduction of 60%, which was met by 2005 (62%).

For more information see the Transport section of this website.

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