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