U.S. children are dying at rates far exceeding those in other wealthy nations, with a new study showing that U.S. infants are about 80 percent more likely to die before their first birthday, and children overall face an 80 percent higher death rate than their peers in 18 other developed countries.
The findings, published in JAMA Original Investigation, paint a troubling picture of pediatric health in the United States.
The Scope of the Health Crisis
The comprehensive study, which examined health trends from 2007 to 2023, reveals that the United States experiences an excess of 54 child deaths every day compared with what would be expected if America matched the mortality rates of other wealthy nations.
Rachel Ann T. Melegrito
Author
Rachel Melegrito worked as an occupational therapist, specializing in neurological cases. Melegrito also taught university courses in basic sciences and professional occupational therapy. She earned a master's degree in childhood development and education in 2019. Since 2020, Melegrito has written extensively on health topics for various publications and brands.
