TACKLING INEQUALITIES IN THE EARLY YEARS: KEY MESSAGES FROM 10 YEARS OF THE GROWING UP IN SCOTLAND STUDY

At a glance summary

GUS has highlighted that, even in the early years of a child's life, there are consistent inequalities, not only in outcomes, but particularly in risk behaviours that we know have longer-term consequences for health and development.

Comparing children in the highest (£££££) and lowest (£) income quintiles...

Comparing mothers in the highest (£££££) and lowest (£) income quintiles…

Comparisons between the two GUS cohorts, up to age three, have revealed some overall improvements for children born in 2010/11 (BC2) compared with those born in 2004/05 (BC1).

Comparisons have also revealed that some health outcomes appear to have deteriorated overall across the cohorts, though this may be a result of more effective and/or earlier diagnosis.

And that overall breastfeeding rates have remained static.

With regard to the socio-economic gap, GUS has shown that some inequalities have narrowed over recent years.

Although the socio-economic gap has widened for alcohol consumption in pregnancy, this is due to a larger increase in rates of abstinence among the most economically disadvantaged than the most advantaged.

While it is difficult to counter the very powerful socio-economic influences on children's lives, GUS has highlighted that there are some factors that seem to promote positive outcomes or build resilience, in the face of socio-economic disadvantage.

GUS has also provided other clues about how to support parents and improve outcomes for children