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- Children’s health declines in last 17 years, study finds (foxnews.com)
Kids’ Health in Decline Across the US
A new study reveals a worrying trend: the overall health of American children has been declining over the past 17 years. Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study paints a stark picture based on 170 indicators and eight data sources, all pointing towards a downward trajectory.
The study indicates a 15% to 20% increase in chronic conditions like anxiety, depression, and sleep apnea compared to 2011. Childhood obesity rates have also climbed, rising from 17% in 2007-2008 to approximately 21% in 2021-2023. The research also noted increases in early-onset menstruation, sleep problems, activity limitations, physical ailments, depressive symptoms, and loneliness among American children.
Perhaps most alarming is the comparison of mortality rates between U.S. children and those in other high-income countries. American children are nearly twice as likely to die, with premature births and sudden unexpected death being significantly higher among U.S. infants. Older children (aged 1-19) face a higher risk of death from firearms and motor vehicle accidents compared to their international peers.
While Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” plan has brought children’s health into the national spotlight, an accompanying editorial suggests that previous actions, such as cuts to federal health agencies, Medicaid, and scientific research, may exacerbate the existing negative trends.
Experts warn that these findings reflect broader issues within the American healthcare system, urging a localized, community-based approach to address the decline in children’s well-being. Dr.
Christopher Forrest, one of the study’s authors, emphasizes the importance of examining the environments where children grow up, suggesting a city-by-city, neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach to tackle these complex challenges.
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- Children’s health declines in last 17 years, study finds (foxnews.com)