A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlights a concerning decline in the physical and mental health of children in the United States over the past 17 years. The research, which spans from 2007 to 2023, utilized 170 indicators from eight data sources, all pointing to a generalized deterioration in children’s health. Dr. Christopher Forrest, one of the study’s authors, emphasized that the comprehensive nature of the findings was unexpected, as it consistently showed worsening health trends across various metrics.
The study found that U.S. children are now 15% to 20% more likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as anxiety, depression, or sleep apnea compared to children in 2011. Additionally, childhood obesity rates have increased from 17% in 2007-2008 to approximately 21% between 2021 and 2023. Other troubling trends include an increase in early onset of menstruation, sleep disturbances, activity limitations, physical symptoms, depressive symptoms, and feelings of loneliness among American children.
When comparing mortality rates with other high-income countries, the study revealed that U.S. children are about 1.8 times more likely to die than their counterparts abroad. Premature births and sudden unexpected deaths are notably higher among U.S. infants. Furthermore, firearm-related incidents and motor vehicle crashes are significantly more common among American youths aged 1-19 than those in other countries examined.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” plan has brought children’s health issues into national policy discussions. However, an accompanying editorial argues that actions by the Trump administration—such as cuts to federal health agencies, Medicaid, and scientific research—are unlikely to reverse these negative trends. Dr. Frederick Rivara of Seattle Children’s Hospital expressed concern that current policies may exacerbate the situation.
Dr. Forrest likened children to “canaries in the coal mine,” suggesting that their declining health reflects broader systemic issues within America’s healthcare ecosystem. He advocates for a grassroots approach to address these challenges by examining and improving the environments where children grow up on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis.