A sweeping new study has confirmed what many pediatricians, teachers, and parents have sensed for years: American children are becoming less healthy. The research, published July 7 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, analyzed 17 years of data and found worsening outcomes across nearly every major health category. The findings reveal a sharp rise in chronic illnesses, mental health struggles, and even mortality among children in the United States.
“This study confirms that our children are facing a growing health crisis,” said Dr. Neal Halfon, senior author of the study and professor at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health. “The breadth and consistency of these declines across physical, mental, and developmental health indicators demand urgent national attention.”
Who Conducted the Study?
The research was led by Dr. Christopher Forrest of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in collaboration with Dr. Halfon and a team of experts from institutions nationwide. It examined 172 indicators from five national surveys, electronic health records from over two million children across 10 pediatric health systems, and mortality data from U.S. and international sources.
According to Forrest, “The surprising part of the study wasn’t any single statistic; it was that every data source—eight in total—showed the same thing: a generalized decline in kids’ health.”
Key Health Indicators Worsening
The study’s findings are stark:
- Obesity among children aged 2 to 19 rose from 17% in 2007–2008 to nearly 21% by 2023.
- Children in 2023 were 15% to 20% more likely to have a chronic condition such as anxiety, depression, or sleep apnea than children in 2011.
- Diagnoses of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders have tripled in some cases.
- More children are experiencing early puberty, sleep problems, physical pain, limited activity, and feelings of sadness or loneliness.
- The mortality rate for American children is nearly 1.8 times higher than in 18 other high-income countries. U.S. infants are more likely to die from prematurity or sudden unexpected causes, and older children are more likely to die from firearm injuries or car crashes.
The Causing?
While the study doesn’t pin the decline on any single factor, the authors point to a complex mix of social, economic, and environmental forces. Dr. Forrest warned that focusing solely on individual behavior, such as diet or screen time, misses the larger systemic issues.
“We have to step back and look at the ecosystem that kids are growing up in,” he said. “This is about the neighborhoods, the policies, the economic stressors, and the supports—or lack thereof—that shape children’s lives.”
The growing popularity of ultra-processed foods, lack of physical activity, social isolation, economic inequality, and exposure to violence are all part of the equation.
RFK Jr.’s Response
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made children’s health a central focus of his policy agenda. In May, he unveiled the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) report, which highlighted how children are increasingly undernourished, overmedicated, and physically inactive.
Kennedy’s MAHA initiative aims to draw national attention to these problems, but critics say some of the administration’s policies work against that goal. A JAMA editorial accompanying the study warned that cuts to maternal health programs, injury prevention efforts, and federal science funding—combined with rhetoric that fuels vaccine hesitancy—could make things worse.
“The health of kids in America is not as good as it should be, not as good as in other countries, and the current policies of this administration are definitely going to make it worse,” said Dr. Frederick Rivara, a pediatrician at Seattle Children’s Hospital and co-author of the editorial.
Experts agree that addressing the crisis requires a nationwide, coordinated effort involving schools, communities, health care providers, and policymakers. The authors of the study recommend:
- Investing in early childhood development and family support services
- Expanding access to mental health care and school counselors
- Improving nutrition and physical activity opportunities
- Reducing environmental toxins and community violence
- Strengthening public health infrastructure and disease prevention programs
Dr. Forrest advocates for a grassroots, local approach: “Let’s start on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood, city-by-city basis, examining the ecosystems where kids grow up and making them healthier, safer, and more supportive.”
Despite the alarming data, researchers are not without optimism. They emphasize that trends can be reversed with the right policies and public commitment. “Kids are the canaries in the coal mine,” said Forrest. “When their health declines, it reflects what’s happening in society at large. But if we act decisively, we can turn this around.”
The study is a wake-up call—but also a roadmap. Whether or not the country follows it may determine the health of an entire generation.
