About the campaign

Australia’s leading paediatricians, specialist physicians and trainee doctors believe every child and young person deserves a fair chance at a healthy and thriving future.

Key markers of our children’s health and wellbeing across our country are behind where they should be.

Our Kids Catch Up campaign is dedicated to addressing health inequities faced by children and young people. Our doctors know the challenges faced by children and young people in Australia, recognising the lasting impacts early childhood experiences can have on health and development.

Inequalities exist across our communities, impacting children and young people from low socio-economic backgrounds, First Nations communities, children from culturally diverse backgrounds, children with disability and children experiencing family and domestic violence.

Our vision is clear:

• All children, no matter where they live or who they are, have the same opportunity to fulfil their potential.
• First Nations children enjoy the same high standard of health as other children in Australia.
• A strong system of universal child health and education services delivers the right care to children for their health, development and wellbeing, regardless of their family circumstances, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, geography or other social determinants.

We call on leaders from across the political spectrum to commit to a package of policy measures to help our kids catch up to their full health and wellbeing potential.

It’s time to put kids first and help our kids catch up.

This campaign is led by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. The College represents over 33,000 paediatricians, specialist physicians and trainee doctors.