A new independent annual report sheds light on the critical health and wellbeing challenges facing children and young people across the Hywel Dda region.

The Hywel Dda region, which covers Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, is home to over 100,000 individuals under the age of 25. The Director of Public Health annual report emphasises the importance of early years for long-term health outcomes. It calls for organisations to work together to implement a range of health initiatives, including promoting healthy eating and physical activity, increasing the uptake of immunisation, strengthening mental health services and ensuring better access to health services.

One of the key areas in the report is the significance of the first 1,000 days of life. The Hywel Dda region has a high prevalence of maternal obesity and mental health issues, which can lead to complications such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia. The report calls for a concerted effort to promote healthy nutrition, support smoke-free pregnancies, and improve maternal mental health services through low-intensity, digital-based solutions.

In early childhood, the report encourages increased immunisation rates and greater action through initiatives that improve school readiness. With about 1 in 3 children aged 4-5 being overweight or obese efforts need to be made to tackle obesity in primary school children. This needs to work alongside efforts to help children manage their digital habits, to ensure healthy sleep patterns and emotional wellbeing.

From secondary school into late adolescence and early adulthood, the report highlights the importance of addressing young people’s mental health challenges. With just under 1 in 5 adolescents using e-cigarettes and 40 per cent using alcohol, the report stresses the need for targeted interventions to further reduce harmful behaviours.

For more information or to access the full report, visit Public health annual reports - Hywel Dda University Health Board.