A recent study from researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has found that American children’s health is declining at an alarming rate. According to the study, which analyzed nearly two decades’ worth of data, childhood mortality rates have been falling behind other high-income nations since the 1970s.
Infants in the US were 78% more likely to die than infants in other high-income countries between 2007 and 2022, while children aged 1-19 were 80% more likely to die. The leading causes of death were firearm-related injuries and motor vehicle crashes. Moreover, American kids are up to 20% more likely to have a chronic condition, with rates of depression, sleep apnea, eating disorders, anxiety, autism, and obesity increasing significantly.
Dr. Christopher Forrest, lead author of the study and a pediatrician at CHOP, attributes the rise in chronic conditions to the “atomization” of neighborhoods and the lack of civic engagement. He argues that this decline is driven by the retreat of kids from homes, where they are not playing outdoors unsupervised, leading to anxiety, learning disabilities, and other developmental issues.
The study also highlights the impact of policy changes under the Trump administration, particularly cuts to Medicaid and food stamps. Dr. Forrest emphasizes that these policies will only worsen the health crisis for children in the US.
To reverse the decline, experts recommend a national campaign focusing on publicly sponsored parental leave, high-quality childcare, reducing access to firearms, ensuring Medicaid coverage for sick kids, and building community wealth. However, Dr. Forrest believes that civic engagement is also crucial, as we need to build communities that support both children and families.
The study’s findings paint a dire picture of the US children’s health crisis, with kids serving as “canaries in the coal mine” who will be affected first by environmental problems and societal changes.
Source: https://www.inquirer.com/health/chronic-conditions-mortality-health-america-children-chop-researchers-20250716.html