Smoking in pregnancy

• Oldham has a higher rate of mothers smoking at the time of delivery (6.9%), compared to the England rate of 6.1% (2024/25). 

Births

• In Oldham there has been a decrease in the birth-rate over the past few years, which follows the national trend. However, the reduction in Oldham is less significant due to the demographic make-up. In 2025 there were 3,180 births in Oldham which is lower than the 3,288 in 2018, which equates to a 3.4% drop in births.
  
• Oldham consistently has a higher proportion of babies born with a low birth weight compared to the national rate. This is linked to the higher rates of deprivation. The latest data in Oldham shows 4.7% compared to 3.0% nationally (2024).

Teenage Conceptions

• Oldham's rate of teenage conceptions (age 15-17 years) is consistently higher than the national average. As of 2022, Oldham's rate of teenage conceptions is 21.2 per 1,000 females, significantly higher than the England average of 13.9 per 1,000. 

Breastfeeding

• Oldham has a lower proportion of babies (39.7%) that are partially or totally breastfed 6-8 weeks after birth, lower than the England rate of 49.2% (2021/22).  Whilst the Oldham rate is much lower than the national rate, there are significant variations across the different Wards. Please note that although a count has been published for this up until 2024/25, the rates for this measure are missing for 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25.   

Infant and Child Mortality

• Oldham’s infant mortality rate has been higher than GM, the North West and England rates consistently for over a decade. Oldham’s most recent rate for 2022-24 was 6.2 per 1,000, making it significantly higher than the national figure of 4.2 per 1,000 live births. 
• There is a similar trend for Child Mortality as in Infant Mortality where Oldham has significantly and consistently higher mortality rates. The current rate for Oldham is 13.8 per 100,000 population is now deemed similar when compared to 11.6 for England.

Early Years Educational development

• In Oldham the proportion of children that have a "Good Level of Development" is consistently below that of the England average. The most recent data shows that 63.1% of Oldham children achieved a 'good level of development' (GLD) by the end of reception year, lower than the England average of 68.3% (2024/25).

Oral Health

• 36.3% of 5 year old Oldham children have one or more decayed, missing or filled teeth. This is significantly higher than the England average of 22.4% (2023/24). Oldham's rate has been significantly higher than the England rate for all years the programme has been undertaken.

Childhood obesity

• 22.0% of reception aged children are overweight or obese. This is similar to the England  rate of 23.5%.
• 39.0% of year 6 aged children are overweight or obese. This is higher than the England rate of 36.2% (2024/25). 
• In Oldham, the higher prevalence of obesity tends to be in the most deprived areas.

A&E Attendances

• A&E Attendance rates have been decreasing in Oldham, as they have nationally. It should be noted that Oldham has lower rates for all age groups compared to national rates. The latest data 2024/25 shows: (All figures per 1,000) 
• Under 18 years - 486.7 in Oldham vs 477.3 nationally.
• 0 - 4 years - 806.9 in Oldham vs 787.2 nationally.
• Under 1 year - 667.4 in Oldham vs 384.8 nationally.

Accidents, Injuries

• The rate of hospital admissions due to injuries (unintentional and deliberate) for 0-14 year olds is significantly higher in Oldham (88.7 per 10,000) compared to England (68.5 per 10,000). However, for the 15-24 year old age group, the rate is significantly lower in Oldham (69.1 per 10,000) compared to England (79.8 per 10,000) (2024/25).

Educational attainment

• In 2026, 59.5% of pupils met the expected standard at Key Stage 2 (end of Primary) in Reading, Writing and Maths. This is 4.5% higher than 2023 and compares to  63.2% nationally. All of these figures represent a substantially lower position compared to those pre-Covid, especially where deprivation is higher.
• Oldham's average Attainment 8 score at the end of Key Stage 4 is 44.8, lower than the England average of XX.X (2025/26). [awaiting update on national average]

Childhood Vaccinations & Immunisations

• 88.7% of 2 year olds in Oldham have had the one dose vaccination which is Lower than the England average of 88.9% (2024/25). Uptake of the MMR vaccine in Oldham, although beginning to recover, remains significantly lower than pre-COVID-19.

• 64.7% of 12-13 year old females received the HPV vaccine (one dose) compared to 71.7% for England in 2024/25. The impact of Covid-19 appears likely to have significantly affected the uptake of HPV vaccine.

16-17 NEET

• 4.6% of 16-17 year olds are not in employment, education or training (or status is unknown), lower than the 5.8% in England (2025/26). 

Child & Adolescent Mental Health

• Oldham's rate of 23.8 per 100,000 for hospital admissions (2023/24) for mental health conditions in under 18s is  significantly lower than the national average of 80.2 per 100,000.

Young People's Alcohol Misuse

• Oldham's rate of 10.7 per 100,000 for admissions (under 18's) (2023/24) relating to alcohol specific conditions is lower than the national average of 22.6 per 100,000.

Children's Social Care

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)