Report says Australia needs to do more to address the health outcomes of children.

Experts say Australia needs to do more to address the health outcomes of children. It comes following the release of a report which shows that while the country is in the top 20 worldwide for children's education, nutrition and safety, it's in the bottom 10 for sustainability.

A multi-ethnic group of elementary age children are playing together outside at recess. They are chasing each other and are playing tag. Source: Getty Images

The future and health of every child and adolescent in the world is under immediate threat from ecological degradation, climate change and exploitative marketing practices that push fast food, sugary drinks, alcohol, and tobacco at them.

That's according to a new report from the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children's Fund.

The report's authors compared the performance of 180 countries on child survival and well-being, looking at health, education, nutrition, sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions, and equity and income gaps.

Australia is 20th on the 'child flourishing' ranking, which measures things like education, nutrition, access to sanitation, and protection from violence.

But it's lagging behind in other areas.