Best start in life

Giving children the best start in life is a goal across South Tyneside and Sunderland. It is a key way to improve the health of our population. Much of our development (physical, emotional and educational) takes place in our early years. What happens early in life (starting in the womb) has a lifelong effect on health and well-being. A child’s start in life affects things including obesity, heart disease and mental health.

Local profile: Rates of smoking in pregnancy are high with one in six pregnant women smoking. Alcohol consumption in homes with children in is also high. Rates of breastfeeding are very low in local mothers. Many women are overweight and not physically active when they are pregnant. Too many local women still suffer mental health problems before and after childbirth. 

Get in touch; get involved

If you've got ideas and want more information about this important work or if you want to get involved in the prevention work STSFT is developing please contact the Prevention Team at stsft.prevention@nhs.net.