Children and Young People
Children and young people
In 2009 there were 57,894 children aged 0 to 18 in Southwark, which is 20.3% of the population, lower than London (22.7%) or England (22.6%). By 2020 numbers of 0 to 19 year olds are expected to have increased to 68,100, an increase of more than 17%, showing the child population to be growing more quickly than the population overall. According to 2007 ethnicity estimates less than half (46.5%) of Southwark's children (aged 0 to 15) are 'White British', a smaller proportion than Adults (51.7%) and Older people (68.5%), and also smaller than children in London (54%) or England (81.5%). 29.5% of children are from 'Black' ethnicities, 19% of which are 'Black African,' a considerably higher proportion than London (8.0%) or England (1.9%).
Breastfeeding
The prevalence of breast-feeding at 6-8 wks from birth in Southwark has increased from 53.8% at the beginning of 2008/09 to 75.7% at the beginning of 2010/11, and is broadly in line with other inner London boroughs. Rates in Southwark are above recent recoded rates for London overall (65%) and England (44.4%). For further information click here.
| Date | File Name | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 - 2011 | Prevalence of breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks from birth (NI 53) |
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Immunisation
The aim of the UK routine childhood vaccination programme is to protect all children against key preventable childhood infections. Southwark's vaccination coverage is generally measured against a national target of 95% for children aged two years and again aged five years. They are also measured against locally agreed targets which are generally 80% coverage due to difficulties faced across London. In general, the proportion of children vaccinated at each age has improved over the last three years in Southwark. Local targets have, however, only been met for Hib/MenC and MMR in children aged 2 years and national targets have not been reached for any vaccine at any age. 2009/10 data shows that for children aged 2 years, performance is broadly in line with London but falls below England; and for those aged 5 years, performance falls below that of London and well below England. For further information click here.
| Date | File Name | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 - 2010 | Immunisation |
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Under 18 conceptions
In Southwark the rate of under-18 conceptions per 1,000 girls aged 15-17 has been falling consistently for the last 10 years. In 1998, Southwark had the highest rate of all inner London boroughs and in 2008 remains in the top three, with a rate that is considerably higher than London overall and almost double that for England. For further information click here.
| Date | File Name | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 - 2008 | Under 18 conceptions (NI 112) |
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Obesity
Rates of childhood obesity in Southwark are high. In 2008/09 obesity among primary school children in Reception Year was 14.2%, higher than London (11.2%) and England (9.6%). Obesity among children in Year 6 in Southwark was 26.7%, higher than London (21.3%) and England (18.3%).
Further information on obesity rates in Reception year and Year 6 children is available.
| Date | File Name | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2006/07 - 2008/09 | Obesity among primary school children in Reception Year |
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| 2006/07 - 2008/09 | Obesity among primary school children in Year 6 |
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Infant mortality
All recent measures of mortality in infancy and stillbirth indicate higher rates in Southwark than in London or England. Rates are closer to, but still higher than, Lambeth and Lewisham. Infant mortality in particular is notable as the Southwark rate (6.9 per 1,000 births) is 50% higher than London (4.4 per 1,000 births) and England (4.7 per 1,000 births). Trend data for the last 10 years shows a clear reduction in infant mortality across England and London, it is less clearly identifiable in Southwark. For further information, click
here.
Note: when using data on mortality in infancy it is important to understand the definition for each measure as there is overlap between them and the denominator is not constant.
| Date | File Name | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 - 2009 | Mortality in infancy and stillbirth |
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| 1999 - 2009 | Infant mortality trend data |
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