American children have a higher mortality rate than those in comparable high-income countries, according to a new study published Monday in the journal JAMA Network. “The health of US children has worsened across a wide range of health indicator domains over the past 17 years,” the study’s conclusion states.
Long-term data highlights worsening trends
The study’s authors examined health data collected from 2007 to 2023, using information from eight major sources. These included national mortality statistics, large-scale public surveys, and digital records from children’s health care visits.
The data show a rise in chronic health conditions among children, increasing rates of obesity, and a deterioration in children’s mental health. The study’s authors conclude that this represents a public health crisis requiring immediate national action.
Higher infant and youth mortality in the US
Infants in the U.S. were 78% more likely to die compared to infants in the OECD18 countries. Children and teens aged 1 to 19 in the U.S. were 1.80 times more likely to die than their counterparts in those countries.
This means that between 2007 and 2022, babies, children and teens in the U.S. were nearly 80% more likely to die than those in the 18 other wealthy countries.
For infants under 1 year old, premature birth and sudden unexpected infant death are the top two reasons why U.S. babies are dying at much higher rates than those in other high-income nations.
Increased risk from firearms and vehicle crashes
Children and teens in the United States are 15 times more likely to die from firearm-related incidents and 2.5 times more likely to die in motor vehicle crashes, according to the study. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, in 2021, among U.S. children who died by firearms, 82.6% were aged 15 to 19 years old.
Chronic conditions and mental health issues on the rise
Between 2011 and 2023, the prevalence of children aged 3 to 17 with a chronic health condition increased from 39.9% to 45.7%.
Aside from asthma, rates of several other chronic conditions increased. The study listed depression, anxiety, loneliness, autism, speech and language disorders and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as prevailing conditions.
Throughout the study, there was a noticeable rise in health and well-being issues. More children experienced obesity, early onset of menstruation, trouble sleeping, limitations in physical activity, physical symptoms and depressive symptoms.
Possible environmental and societal causes
The study’s researchers believe the rise in health issues among children may be connected to larger, complex factors in the environment, diet and society. These may include pollution, changes in food quality, family stress, social media or economic pressures.
However, the study does not determine the cause of the higher mortality rates. The researchers caution that these links are not yet fully understood and that more research is needed.
Call for national action and parental support
Dr. Christopher B. Forrest, one of the study’s authors, told Newsweek that the United States is facing a crisis in children’s health. His advice to parents: “Creating a loving, nurturing, caring, and responsive home environment is essential for children’s healthy development,” he said. “But parents can’t do this alone—we need a strong network of support and care. Make family a priority, even more important than a higher-paying job.”
