Policy context

Health influences begin even before birth, with a mother’s own health and wellbeing playing an important role in the baby’s development in utero. A healthy start to life contributes to good health and wellbeing for a child over their lifetime.

For instance, smoking during pregnancy is one of the leading preventable causes of a wide range of adverse outcomes for babies. There is strong evidence that smoking in pregnancy is associated with low birth weight and increased risk of a child being born prematurely. There is also evidence of association with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).¹

Early childhood development sets the trajectory for physical health and cognitive, emotional and behavioural wellbeing through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood.

Optimising a child’s chance to have a healthy and productive life requires a holistic approach which includes a safe and nurturing home and community environment, access to appropriate health and family services and early identification of risk factors and developmental issues.²ʼ³