The Centre for Community Child Health

Research area: Population Health

Achieving equitable and real-life improvements in children’s health, development and wellbeing within a generation.

Our purpose is to see every child thrive. To achieve this, we have established a multidisciplinary team of researchers, paediatricians, managers, communicators, evaluators and trainers with expertise in children’s health, development and wellbeing. Our team is driven by our shared values and our mission.

Our mission is to achieve equitable and real-life improvements in children’s health, development and wellbeing within a generation.

Our values

• Impact - we aim to make a real-life measurable difference for children, families and communities
• Equity - we believe equity is a human right and that inequities arise from preventable social, economic and geographic circumstances.
• Prevention - we focus on prevention and early intervention to promote children’s health, development and wellbeing.
• Evidence - we work to generate, implement and enable evidence-informed action.
• Partnerships - we work in collaboration with children, families, communities, practitioners, organisations and governments to enhance our impact.
• Learning - we support our team and partnerships to develop skills, knowledge and experience to get better at what we do and drive excellence.

 The Centre comprises three research groups

 
Advancing equity

Inequities in health, development and wellbeing emerge well before a child begins school. Currently, one in five children begin primary school developmentally vulnerable–lacking the experiences or environments they need because of preventable social, economic or geographic circumstances. And the children who start behind are likely to stay behind with lasting health and economic and societal impacts. 

The rapid development that occurs in the early years builds the foundation for lifelong health, development and wellbeing. This period provides the best opportunity to establish the conditions that enable children to thrive. By investing wisely, we can raise awareness of the significance of early childhood and prevent or tackle issues early, rather than relying on costly complex solutions when problems are entrenched. When every child reaches their potential and thrives, we create healthier, vibrant, and more prosperous communities for everyone.

Our six areas for impact:

1. Healthy child development
2. Mental health for life
3. Connected and confident parents
4. Thriving communities.
5. Education, health and social care working together
6. Equitable services.

Our research, expertise and experience tell us that investing in these key areas will deliver the greatest benefits for children. We are uniquely placed to lead change. As part of the world-class Melbourne Children’s Campus that unites clinical care, research and education, we are a research group of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, a department of The Royal Children’s Hospital, and an affiliate of The University of Melbourne’s Department of Paediatrics.

When every child has the opportunity to reach their potential and thrive, we create healthier, vibrant, and more prosperous communities for everyone.