Introducing growing up in Australia's child health checkpoint: A physical health and biomarkers module for the longitudinal study of Australian children

The right of every child to enjoy the highest attainable standards of health is enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (United Nations, 1989). Although the last century has seen remarkable gains, children's physical health remains of considerable concern to parents and to policy-makers. Chronic health conditions experienced during childhood are rising. In 2004, 7% of US children were reported by parents as having a limitation of activity due to a chronic condition lasting for three months or more, compared to just 2% in 1960 (Perrin, Bloom, and Gortmaker, 2007; National Centre for Health Statistics, 2006). Social disparities in health are widening, links between physical and psychological wellbeing are becoming more evident, and their biologic bases more clearly delineated. Of equal importance, the asymptomatic precursors of adult disease (such as obesity, inactivity, poor oral health, high blood pressure, and low lung function) are evident by late childhood. Important challenges for population health care systems are to understand the overall impact of health conditions on children's life experiences, and thus to improve outcomes through prevention and appropriate, effective intervention at the earliest possible stage.