For decades, child and teen deaths in the United States were on the decline, thanks to better medicine and public health efforts. But between 2019 and 2021, that progress took a major step backward.
According to a new editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the mortality rate for kids and teens (ages 1 to 19) jumped by 20% over just two years. This is the largest increase the U.S. has seen in over 50 years.
What’s Causing the Spike?
The main reason for the rise? Injuries. More children and teens are dying from things like:
- Gun violence (homicides and suicides)
- Drug overdoses
- Car accidents
While COVID-19 did play a role, it wasn’t the biggest driver. In fact, in 2020, the death rate from COVID among kids and teens was just 0.24 per 100,000. In contrast, deaths from injuries increased nearly 12 times more.
Breaking Down the Data
Researchers looked at over 20 years of death certificate records from the CDC and found some shocking trends:
- Suicide among kids aged 10–19 began rising in 2007 and had gone up 70% by 2019.
- Homicide rates started climbing in 2013 and increased by 33% by 2019.
- Overdose deaths began to rise in 2019 and car crash fatalities shot up in 2020 and 2021.
“This is a red flashing light,” said Dr. Steven Woolf from Virginia Commonwealth University. “Our kids are now less likely to reach adulthood.”
Dr. Elizabeth Wolf, a pediatrician at VCU, added, “We’ve hit a tipping point where injury deaths are canceling out the progress we’ve made in treating childhood illnesses.”
Firearms, Mental Health, and Inequality
One of the biggest culprits? Guns. They’re now the most common method used by teens to end their own lives or commit homicide. Increased access to firearms and more lethal weapons have made already dangerous situations even worse.
Mental health is another major issue. Many young people—especially in rural areas—can’t get the help they need. It's estimated that only half of kids with treatable mental health issues actually have access to a professional.
Then there’s the racial and ethnic gap:
- Black youth are 20 times more likely to die by homicide than white or Asian American kids.
- American Indian/Alaska Native youth are most at risk for fatal car accidents.
- Suicide rates are highest among Black and Native youth.
“These disparities are rooted in decades of systemic inequality,” said Woolf. “Things like lack of access to quality education, housing, and economic opportunities all play a part.”
The Pandemic Made It Worse
Though these trends started before the pandemic, COVID-19 didn’t help. Lockdowns, the loss of caregivers, school closures, and missed doctor appointments all contributed to a challenging environment for kids and families.
What Needs to Happen Next?
Experts say we need a mix of immediate and long-term solutions:
- Stronger policies on guns and mental health support
- More resources for education, jobs, and safe housing
- Expanded access to mental health care, especially for kids
- Better data and research to understand what’s driving these deaths
“Our battle against pediatric diseases has been successful,” Woolf said. “Now we’re facing manmade threats—bullets, drugs, and traffic accidents. If we don’t act, more young lives will be lost.”
Source:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2802602?guestAcc…
https://wonder.cdc.gov/
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