WASHINGTON – A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has revealed alarming trends in child health across the United States, showing that American children are dying at nearly twice the rate of their peers in other high-income countries.
The comprehensive research, which analyzed data spanning over two decades, found that children aged 1 to 19 in the U.S. are approximately 1.8 times more likely to die from largely preventable causes. The mortality rate for American infants is also 1.78 times higher than that of infants in comparable nations like Germany, France, and Denmark.
Disturbing Daily Toll
According to the findings, around 54 children in the U.S. die every day from causes that could largely be prevented. The study identified motor vehicle accidents, firearm injuries, and mental health issues as leading contributors to this grim statistic.
Researchers also pointed out a steady rise in chronic health conditions among children. In 2011, about 39.9% of American children were affected by chronic illnesses—a figure that rose to 45.7% by 2023. The illnesses included obesity, anxiety, depression, autism, developmental delays, and sleep apnea.
Experts Warn of Systemic Failure
Dr. Chris Forrest of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia described the crisis as a consequence of a “toxic developmental ecosystem,” noting that societal stressors, declining maternal health, lack of preventive care, and poor socio-economic conditions are taking a toll on America’s youth.
“Children are the canary in the coal mine for a nation’s health,” Dr. Forrest remarked.
Call for Urgent Reforms
Public health experts are urging U.S. policymakers to:
- Strengthen mental health support and maternal care programs
- Implement gun control and road safety measures
- Invest in community health infrastructure
- Reverse federal cuts to child-related health and welfare programs
The report concludes that unless meaningful steps are taken, the health gap between the U.S. and its peer countries will continue to widen—putting an entire generation at risk.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.
