Children in the United States are experiencing a significant decline in health, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Researchers found that rates of chronic illness, mental health disorders, and early death have all risen among American youth over the last two decades.
Dr. Christopher Forrest, a pediatrician and professor at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, led the study. Reflecting on his 25-year career, Forrest noted a striking shift in pediatric health. “They just seem to be sicker. And it turns out they are,” he said.
The study examined eight major data sources, including national surveys and millions of pediatric electronic health records. The analysis shows that in 2023, a child in the U.S. was 15 to 20 percent more likely to have a chronic condition than in 2011. Conditions such as obesity, anxiety, depression, autism, developmental delays, ADHD, and sleep apnea have all seen marked increases.
In addition, children are now reporting more issues like poor sleep, early-onset menstruation, low physical activity, and feelings of loneliness. These trends highlight a broad decline in physical and mental well-being among young people.
Mortality data revealed another concerning pattern. The study found that from 2010 to 2023, American children were 80% more likely to die than children in other high-income countries. This represents a dramatic reversal from the 1960s, when the U.S. had similar child mortality rates to countries like the United Kingdom and Germany.
Among infants, the leading causes of death were sudden unexpected infant death and complications from premature birth. For older children and teenagers, the biggest threats came from gun violence, car crashes, and substance abuse. In 2020, firearms surpassed motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of death among American youth.
Dr. Frederick Rivara, a pediatrician at the University of Washington, co-authored an editorial accompanying the study. He cited limited healthcare access as a major factor behind worsening child health outcomes in the U.S. “Unlike countries like Canada or the U.K., we don’t have universal healthcare for children,” Rivara said.
The situation may worsen, he warned, as recent legislation signed by President Donald Trump includes deep cuts to Medicaid. Medicaid currently covers more than 41% of all U.S. children, according to Pew Research Center data. Many families now risk losing coverage due to budget reductions included in the latest tax and spending bill.
Though the administration has introduced a “Make America Healthy Again” campaign to address chronic illness and reduce harmful dietary habits, Rivara believes other actions taken by the government may undermine these efforts. He pointed to large budget cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services, including the dismantling of injury prevention programs and the shutdown of the Safe to Sleep campaign, which was designed to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
In addition, the administration has supported policies questioning the safety of childhood vaccines, further threatening public health progress, experts say.
Researchers and pediatric health advocates argue that the rising health burden on American children is not only a medical concern but also a reflection of broader social and policy choices. Without a stronger national commitment to healthcare access, mental health services, and childhood nutrition, they warn, the health gap between U.S. children and their international peers may continue to grow.
