The State of Children's Health in the United States

Total children in the United States: Child Stat: Forum on Child and Family Statistics, Child population: Number of children ages 0–17 in the United States by age, July 2021

Leading causes of death: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Mortality 2018-2021 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released in 2021. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2021, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program.

Firearms are the single biggest cause of death: Kaiser Family Foundation, Firearms are the Leading Cause of Death for Children in the United States But Rank No Higher Than Fifth in Other Industrialized Nations, July 2022

1 in 25 children wont make it to their 40th birthday: Financial Times, Why are Americans dying so young?, March 2023

What affects the health and well-being of America's youth?

Health and well-being factors: World Health Organization (WHO),Health for the World’s Adolescents: A second chance in the second decade, 2014

• Adapted version from HHS in 2021

Prevalence of mental disorders & behavioral problems

20 million youth with mental health disorders: American Psychological Association (APA), Children’s mental health - Why is children’s mental health important?, May 2022

Prevalence of mental health disorders: Lebrun-Harris LA, Ghandour RM, Kogan MD, Warren MD. Five-Year Trends in US Children’s Health and Well-being, 2016-2020. JAMA Pediatr. 2022;176(7):e220056.

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Behavioral issues

Percent increase of mental health disorders: Lebrun-Harris LA, Ghandour RM, Kogan MD, Warren MD. Five-Year Trends in US Children’s Health and Well-being, 2016-2020. JAMA Pediatr. 2022;176(7):e220056.

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Behavioral issues

Suicidal ideology among high school aged children in the US

High school students who considered suicide: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011-2021

• Students by race/ethnicity
• LGBTQ students
• Female students

Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness: CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011-2021

Trauma and hardship endured by children during COVID-19 pandemic

Lost a parent or primary caregiver: APA, Thousands of kids lost loved ones to the pandemic. Psychologists are teaching them how to grieve, and then thrive, October 2022

Trauma experienced by high school students: Krause KH, Verlenden JV, Szucs LE, et al. Disruptions to School and Home Life Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021. MMWR Suppl 2022;71(Suppl-3):28–34.

NOTE: Rounded numbers

• Parent lost their job
• Emotional abuse
• Physical abuse

What does it mean to grow up with gun violence: Rajan S, Branas CC, Myers D, Agrawal N. Youth exposure to violence involving a gun: evidence for adverse childhood experience classification. J Behav Med. 2019

Prevalence of physical health issues and vaccine uptake

Obesity in children: CDC, Overweight & Obesity: Prevalence of Childhood Obesity in the United States, May 2022

Asthma prevalence: CDC, Interactive Summary Health Statistics for Children — 2019-2021. Ever having asthma between in 2021 grouped by Hispanic Latino origin and race

• Not Hispanic or Latino, White, single race
• Not Hispanic or Latino, Black, single race
• Hispanic or Latino

Vaccination rates among children: Seither R, Calhoun K, Yusuf OB, et al. Vaccination Coverage with Selected Vaccines and Exemption Rates Among Children in Kindergarten — United States, 2021–22 School Year. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:26–32

Children’s health care access & utilization

Children’s health care access & utilization: CDC, Interactive Summary Health Statistics for Children — 2019-2021. Well child check-up in 2021 grouped by Hispanic Latino origin and race

• NOTE: Children all under age of 18

Uninsured children: CDC, Interactive Summary Health Statistics for Children — 2019-2021. Uninsured at the time of interview in 2021 grouped by Hispanic Latino origin and race

• NOTE: Children all under age of 18
• NOTE: Children are considered uninsured if they did not have private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a state-sponsored health plan, other government programs, or military health plan (includes TRICARE, VA, and CHAMP-VA) at the time of interview.
• Groups:
  • Not Hispanic or Latino, White, single race
  • Not Hispanic or Latino, Black, single race
  • Hispanic or Latin

Promoting positive health and well-being for our children

Mental health and wellbeing: APA, Kids’ mental health is in crisis. Here’s what psychologists are doing to help, January 2023

Where to find a psychologist for children: APA, Children’s mental health - Why is children’s mental health important?, May 2022

Improve access to health coverage: First Focus, Policy Brief: 10 Ways to Improve the Health Coverage of America’s Children, November 2021

Physical health and vaccination uptake

Physical exercise: CDC, Healthy Schools - Physical Activity Facts, July 2022

Nutrition at school: CDC, Healthy Schools - Childhood Nutrition Facts, August 2022

Increase vaccinations and school programs: CDC, Vaccines and Immunizations - 12 COVID-19 Vaccination Strategies for Your Community, November 2022

• Improve messaging

• located vaccination programs

Nutrition education: CDC, Healthy Schools - School Nutrition, March 2023