Children in the United States today are facing more health problems, weighing more, and have a higher risk of dying compared to children just a generation ago. This is the finding of the most detailed review of child health in nearly twenty years, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on Monday, July 7.
The study examined 170 health indicators using data from eight national sources, covering trends from 2002 onwards. The overall conclusion was that children’s health is declining across the country. Researchers observed that childhood obesity has increased steadily, with obesity rates among children aged 2 to 19 rising from 17 percent in the 2007–2008 cycle to about 21 percent in the 2021–2023 cycle.
Medical records of over one million young patients revealed that the number of children diagnosed with at least one chronic illness, such as anxiety, depression, or sleep apnea, grew from about 40 percent in 2011 to 46 percent in 2023. A separate survey of parents showed that the overall risk of any chronic illness among children rose by 15 to 20 percent since 2011.
The study also highlighted a sharp difference between child mortality rates in the United States and other high-income countries such as Canada, Germany, and Japan. Between 2007 and 2022, American children were nearly 1.8 times more likely to die than their counterparts abroad.
The causes of death varied by age. For infants, premature birth and sudden unexpected infant death were the leading causes. Among older children and teenagers, firearm injuries and road accidents caused the highest number of deaths.
Mental health issues have also become more common. Reports of depression, loneliness, sleep difficulties, and reduced physical activity all increased over the years covered by the study.
Researchers said that children often feel the effects of social stress earlier and more deeply than adults, making them more vulnerable to mental health challenges.
An editorial linked to the study said that addressing the decline in children’s health would require stronger support for injury prevention, maternal health, vaccination efforts, and better social conditions.
The authors of the editorial warned that reducing public health funding, postponing infrastructure work, or spreading misinformation about vaccines could make the situation worse.
The study did not single out one cause for the worsening health but pointed to a combination of factors. These included poor diets high in ultra-processed foods, uneven access to healthcare, unsafe living environments, and rising economic inequality.
The lead author of the study called for local-level action plans that make children’s health a shared responsibility within communities.
While the United States spends more per person on healthcare than any other country, the report concluded that solving the problem will need much more than clinical care. It will require investment in schools, housing, transport, and social services to prevent long-term health crises as these children grow into adults.
