Changing Children’s Chances is building the evidence on the best ways to redress childhood inequities to inform clear policy decisions.
Reducing inequities in children’s health, wellbeing and development would have immediate and lasting benefits for children, families and communities. There are many existing policies and services that aim to help children have the environments and experiences they need to thrive in the early years. Unfortunately, we often lack the evidence to choose the most efficient and effective actions.
The Changing Children’s Chances (CCC) project, led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, seeks to understand the best ways to address the inequity that Australia’s children face. Researchers from the CCC project are focusing on the need for precision policy and to direct limited public funds to intervention opportunities with the greatest impact.
Read more on why we need precision policy responses to child health and development inequities.
The first phase of the CCC project (2016-2020) described the complex circumstances in which children are born, live, learn and grow – known as social determinants. These social determinants shape children’s health, wellbeing and development. The second phase of the project (2021-2024) aims to better understand policy opportunities for reducing inequities in children’s mental health, physical health and academic achievement.
Currently, the CCC researchers are modelling how combining or ‘stacking’ interventions can reduce inequities – particularly for those experiencing the greatest vulnerability or disadvantage. The project capitalises on powerful national datasets, including the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) and the Multi-Agency Data Integration Project (MADIP).
Combining or stacking approaches to redress inequity
Action can be taken at the family, community and policy level. The CCC project proposes that a combined approach at all three levels can best optimise children’s health, wellbeing and development. The CCC project findings can help inform more effective and precise policies to reduce these inequities in children.
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The CCC project unites leading national and international child equity researchers and child health clinicians. The University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute are partnering with Beyond Blue, The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, The Australian Government Department of Social Services, and Brotherhood of St Laurence.