US child mortality rates significantly higher than peer nations, study finds

U.S. children have a higher mortality rate than children living in comparable high-income countries

according to a new study published Monday in the journal JAMA Network. The health of U.S. children has worsened across a wide range of health indicator domains over the

last 17 years, the study's conclusion states. The study's authors looked at health data gathered

from 2007 to 2023. The data showed a rise in chronic health conditions among children

increasing rates of obesity and a deterioration in children's mental health. The study's authors conclude that this represents a public health crisis requiring immediate national action

Infants in the U.S. were 78 percent more likely to die compared to infants in the other 18 wealthy countries

And children and teens 1 to 19 years old were 80 percent more likely to die than their counterparts in those countries as well

For infants under the age of one, premature birth and sudden unexpected infant death are the top two reasons why U.S. babies are dying at much higher rates than those in other wealthy nations

Kids and teens in the United States are 15 times more likely to die from firearm-related incidents and two and a half times more likely to die in motor vehicle crashes, according to the study

This study doesn't conclude what's causing the higher mortality rates. However, the study's researchers believe the rise in health issues among children may be connected to larger complex factors in our environment, diets and society, including pollution, changes in food quality, family stress, social media and economic pressures

The researchers caution that these links are not yet fully understood and more research is needed

For Straight Air News, I'm Lauren Keenan. If you want more on this story, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit san.com