NHS Lanarkshire’s director of public health is calling for a collaborative approach following the publication of a figure that almost one in five children in Lanarkshire are living in poverty.

The figure is highlighted in the latest NHS Lanarkshire Annual Report of the Director of Public Health.

The report has been set out to focus on the themes of poverty and life circumstances, which are critical to the future health and wellbeing of the population of Lanarkshire.

Gabe Docherty, interim director of public health, said: “Since 2012, there has been an increase in the number of children living in poverty. There is no place for this in 21^st century Lanarkshire.

“Child poverty can have a long lasting and detrimental effect on children’s health and affect future life chances.

“All children have the right to have the best possible health. Unless we take action to reduce child poverty, we cannot expect to improve children’s life chances and ensure they reach their full potential.

“I welcome the Scottish Government’s child poverty bill and commend the efforts of our community planning partners to address this growing issue. However, we need to do more.

“We need to build on the good work that has been achieved to date in Lanarkshire and bring together a wide array of professionals to help to reduce poverty and low incomes for families.

The report also focuses on what else can be done to support those who have experienced childhood trauma.

Gabe added: “Trauma can have an impact on a child’s developing brain and the effects of this can show up decades later resulting in them having poorer outcomes.

“Experiences such as witnessing violence, emotional or physical neglect or abuse can have a direct link to adult depression and other mental illness, violence and being socially excluded. They can also be less likely to do well at school or at work.

“Extreme childhood trauma can is one of the leading causes of conditions such as heart disease, cancer, substance abuse and depression.

The report also urges Lanarkshire residents to reflect on their own lifestyle and make changes to improve their own health and wellbeing.

Gabe said: “The people of Lanarkshire can make changes to improve their health. In the last 20 years, the prevalence of people smoking in Lanarkshire has dropped from 35% to 22%.

“The levels of smoking in our most deprived communities remain too high; however, they have still dropped from 40% to 32% over the last 3 years.

“By making some lifestyle changes, the population of Lanarkshire can have a good quality of life as they age.”

Other areas covered in the report include oral health and dental services for children as well as oral health assessments for head and neck cancer patients.

Paul Jukes, chief executive of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “The issues highlighted in the annual report, and in particular around child poverty, serve to remind us all that we must maintain our focus on working together.

“This report sets out the many ways in which public sector partners collaborate. It is clear that we must build on that good work if we are to tackle the poverty, deprivation and inequality which has significant effects on health in North Lanarkshire. The council is fully committed to working with NHS Lanarkshire and other partners to improve outcomes for our communities.”

The report also discusses the latest developments in screening programmes, which aim to pick up diseases before they lead to symptoms.

Councillor Maureen Chalmers, Depute Leader of South Lanarkshire Council and Chair of the South Lanarkshire Community Planning Partnership, said:  “I welcome the Director of Public Health’s annual report, which should reinforce everyone’s determination to eradicate the stain on our society that is child poverty.

“We share the Scottish Government’s ambition to tackle deprivation and we work every day with NHS Lanarkshire and other partners to deliver the best outcomes for our communities.  Giving our young people the best possible start in life is one of our top priorities.

“Our new Council Plan and Community Plan have tackling poverty, deprivation and inequality as an overarching objective and tackling child poverty will remain a key priority.  Working alongside communities, we are determined to tackle income and health inequalities and ensure we get it right for every child in South Lanarkshire.”

The Annual Report of the Director of Public Health 2016/17 and a handy summary of the key issues are available to read or download on NHS Lanarkshire’s website.