216. Obesity rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are higher than in non-Indigenous children. The AIHW reports that in 2012–2013, 30% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents aged 12– 14 were overweight or obese, compared with 25% of their non-Indigenous counterparts.185 217. The Royal Australasian College of Physicians is concerned that childhood obesity continues to be neglected by the Australian Government, which has ‘yet to implement comprehensive actions across society to reduce obesogenic environments and their underlying social determinants’.186 (d) Immunisation rates and infectious diseases 218. The percentage of Australian children fully immunised has fallen from 92.7% in 2008 to 90.5% in 2017.187 219. In 2015, Australia ranked 33 of 35 in the OECD for measles immunisation, and 31 of 35 for whooping cough vaccinations.188 220. Australia’s National Immunisation Program protects against 16 infectious diseases. Most vaccines are funded for all children, with a small number of additional vaccines funded for specific high-risk groups.189 221. The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance suggests that: There is scope to prevent further severe disease and death, particularly from influenza, meningococcal B and pertussis. In particular, it is important that clinicians are aware of recommendations for influenza and pneumococcal vaccination for high-risk children as well as maternal influenza and pertussis immunisation programs.190 (e) Breastfeeding rates 222. Although 90% of Australian mothers initiate breastfeeding, only 15% of infants are exclusively breastfed for the six-month period recommended by the WHO.191 223. Socio-economic status plays a role in breastfeeding practices, according to a recent Australian study, which found that university-educated women are twice as likely to breastfeed their babies for the first six months than women who have not received a tertiary education.192 This indicates that a woman’s level of education is likely to have an impact on her awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding. 38