This year's Director of Public Health Annual Report has been produced in partnership with the Directors of Children’s Services for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Together, they have chosen to use this report to shine a spotlight on one of the most urgent challenges facing our communities: child poverty.
As well as key facts and figures, this report is based on the words of more than 1,000 babies, children, young people, and parents or carers. They have shared, with courage and honesty, what it is like to grow up in poverty.
The report provides a unique insight into how poverty affects people locally. This is shown through art, story-telling and other creative means.
Poverty affects every part of a child’s life. This includes their health, social and emotional wellbeing, education and their future aspirations. More than 27,000 children and young people in Cornwall live in relative poverty. This means that in every average sized classroom of 25 pupils, 6 are living in poverty.
The report includes recommendations on how best to tackle the issue. There is a proposal to create a multi-agency Child Poverty Taskforce to help bring about real change. It also shines a light on some of the positive work already being undertaken to support children and families.
Previous reports
- Public Health Annual Report 2023-24 - Work and Health
- Public Health Annual Report 2022-23 - A life less equal
- Public Health Annual Report 2021-22 - A shift in power
- Public Health Annual Report 2020-21 - The health and wider impacts of COVID-19
- Public Health Annual Report 2019-20 - Planetary health
- Public Health Annual Report 2018 - The best start in life
- Public Health Annual Report 2017 - Health starts where we live
- Public Health Annual Report 2015 - Healthier Communities
- Public Health Annual Report 2014 - Mental health and wellbeing
- Public Health Annual Report 2013