Children and Young People
Healthier Futures is working to ensure that children and young people live healthy lives where they can thrive.
Every child deserves to live a healthy and happy life, yet children and young people around the world still face challenges to their physical and mental health. Progress has been made in previous decades regarding children’s health, yet millions are still affected by preventable causes such as diseases, mental health issues, malnutrition, access to health services, and environmental impacts.
Access to quality education is also vital to enable children and young people to succeed in later life, yet research from the United Nations suggests that without intervention, in 2030 84 million children will be out of school and 300 million students will lack basic numeracy and literacy skills.
Tackling these challenges is a priority for Healthier Futures and The University of Manchester, with academics working to deliver effective solutions to improve childhood health and wellbeing.
Children and Young People theme leads:
Dr Ola Demkowicz, Senior Lecturer in Psychology of Education
Prof Susan Kirk, Professor of Family and Child Health
Case studies
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New-generation Children’s Zones
The University of Manchester's research has enabled schools and their partners to develop new strategies which are improving outcomes for vulnerable children in high-poverty neighbourhoods.
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Transforming school support for children and young people’s wellbeing
Our research has transformed the way that schools identify, monitor and provide support for their pupil’s mental health.
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Keeping it fresh: Manchester children tackle clean air challenge
The challenge encouraged thousands of primary school children across Greater Manchester to ask questions, get outside and investigate air quality.
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