A landmark study published in JAMA on July 7, 2025, reveals a stark and escalating crisis in U.S. Children’s Health. Drawing from five nationally representative surveys and hospital system records spanning 2007 to 2022, researchers found that nearly 50% of U.S. children now live with at least one chronic health condition.
The study, led by Dr. Neal Halfon of UCLA, analyzed over 2.4 million electronic health records and additional public datasets. It documented sharp increases in physical, mental, and developmental disorders over the past 17 years. In hospital-based systems, chronic health issues in children rose from 40.4% in 2007 to 46.6% in 2022, while national survey data showed an increase from 25.7% to 31.2% during the same period, pointing to a long-term deterioration in U.S. Children’s Health.
Obesity, Mental Health, and Mortality Rates Surge
The findings highlight several troubling trends:
- Childhood obesity climbed from 17.0% to 20.9%, with disproportionate effects on low-income and minority populations.
- Mental health diagnoses—including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders—more than doubled in teens. Behavioral issues and learning disabilities also surged.
- Children in the U.S. now have a higher mortality rate than those in 18 comparable high-income nations, largely due to firearm injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and infant mortality.
CBS News called the decline in U.S. Children’s Health “shocking,” noting that hospital visits for mental health crises have seen a dramatic rise since 2016.
Furthermore, the number of children experiencing multiple concurrent conditions—such as asthma combined with ADHD or diabetes paired with anxiety—has steadily grown, placing additional strain on families and pediatric care systems.
Experts Demand Urgent, System-Wide Reforms
Dr. Halfon, a pediatrician and lead author of the report, stressed that the current pediatric model—largely built around acute care—is failing to meet the complex, long-term needs of today’s children. “We’re not just seeing isolated issues,” he said. “We’re seeing a full-system breakdown in how we support U.S. Children’s Health.”
Experts cited environmental toxins, highly processed food, sedentary behavior, and excessive medication use as contributing factors. The American Hospital Association echoed these concerns, urging policy shifts to expand mental health services in schools, regulate harmful chemicals, and improve access to preventive care.
Many also pointed to broader social determinants—such as poverty, unstable housing, and food insecurity—as root causes that must be addressed for lasting impact improvements in U.S. Children’s Health. The 2025 MAHA Commission Report further emphasized these intersections between health and social systems, but was criticized for not offering actionable funding strategies.
This latest data serves as a wake-up call to health officials, educators, and policymakers. Without immediate, coordinated interventions, experts warn the U.S. risks raising a generation with lifelong physical and mental health burdens. As Dr. Halfon concluded, “We must act now—not just to treat illness, but to build a healthier future from the ground up.”
Sources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/american-childrens-health-has-sharply-declined-report-finds
