American kids have become increasingly unhealthy over nearly two decades, new study finds
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
'The health of kids in America is not as good as it should be, not as good as the other countries, and the current policies of this administration are definitely going to make it worse,' said Dr. Frederick Rivara, a pediatrician and researcher at the Seattle Children's Hospital and UW Medicine in Seattle. He coauthored an editorial accompanying the new study.
Advertisement
Forrest and his colleagues analyzed surveys, electronic health records from 10 pediatric health systems, and international mortality statistics. Among their findings:
Advertisement
♦ Obesity rates for US children 2-19 years old rose from 17 percent in 2007-2008 to about 21 percent in 2021-2023.
♦ A US child in 2023 was 15 percent to 20 percent more likely than a US child in 2011 to have a chronic condition such as anxiety, depression, or sleep apnea, according to data reported by parents and doctors.
♦ Annual prevalence rates for 97 chronic conditions recorded by doctors rose from about 40 percent in 2011 to about 46 percent in 2023.
♦ Early onset of menstruation, trouble sleeping, limitations in activity, physical symptoms, depressive symptoms, and loneliness also increased among American children during the study period.
♦ American children were around 1.8 times more likely to die than youngsters in other high-income countries from 2007-2022. Being born premature and sudden unexpected death were much higher among US infants, and firearm-related incidents and motor vehicle crashes were much more common among 1- to 19-year-old American children than among those the same age in other countries examined.
The research points to bigger problems with America's health, said Forrest, who is a pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
'Kids are the canaries in the coal mine,' he said. 'When kids' health changes, it's because they're at increased vulnerability, and it reflects what's happening in society at large.'
The timing of the study, he said, is 'completely fortuitous.' Well before the 2024 presidential election, Forrest was working on a book about thriving over the lifespan and couldn't find this sort of comprehensive data on children's health.
The datasets analyzed have some limitations and may not be applicable to the full US population, noted Dr. James Perrin, a pediatrician and spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, who wasn't involved in the study.
Advertisement
'The basic finding is true,' he said.
The editorial published alongside the study said while the administration's MAHA movement is bringing welcome attention to chronic diseases, 'it is pursuing other policies that will work against the interests of children.' Those include eliminating injury prevention and maternal health programs, canceling investments in a campaign addressing sudden infant death, and 'fueling vaccine hesitancy among parents that may lead to a resurgence of deadly vaccine-preventable diseases,' authors wrote.
Officials from the US Health and Human Services Department did not respond to a request for comment.
Forrest said risks highlighted by the MAHA report, such as eating too much ultra-processed food, are real but miss the complex reality driving trends in children's health.
'We have to step back and take some lessons from the ecological sustainability community and say: Let's look at the ecosystem that kids are growing up in. And let's start on a kind of neighborhood-by-neighborhood, city-by-city basis, examining it,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Epoch Times
15 minutes ago
- Epoch Times
RFK Jr. Accepts Recommendations From Ousted Vaccine Advisers
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has agreed with advice from an advisory panel that he recently ousted. Kennedy accepted a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) be recommended for adults aged 50 to 59 who have a factor that places them at increased risk of severe illness, according to an update on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.
Time Business News
an hour ago
- Time Business News
The Essential Guide to Starting a Mental Health Clinic
Mental health care has transitioned from a whispered concern to a national imperative. Rising awareness, reduced stigma, and growing insurance support have created a fertile environment for new mental health clinics. But building a clinic isn't simply about meeting demand—it's about creating an ecosystem of care, compliance, and compassion. Whether your motivation is clinical passion or entrepreneurial purpose, launching a mental health clinic today means combining empathy with precision and vision with structure. Launching a successful care venture begins with identifying a clear mission and understanding the unique needs of your target population. From there, it's essential to develop a sustainable business model, secure proper licensing, and build a team of qualified professionals. How to start a mental health business often hinges on combining clinical expertise with strategic planning, ensuring compliance with regulations while delivering impactful services. Marketing, funding sources, and community partnerships also play a crucial role in long-term viability. With a thoughtful approach, your organization can become a trusted resource for individuals seeking support and healing The first critical step is to define what your clinic will offer and to whom. Will you specialize in adult outpatient services, pediatric therapy, trauma recovery, or co-occurring disorders? Are you planning individual therapy, group sessions, medication management, or all of the above? Your clinical scope influences licensing requirements, staffing needs, insurance eligibility, and even your marketing tone. Begin with a clear clinical philosophy—whether it leans toward CBT, DBT, EMDR, or holistic modalities—and build out a service model that is specific, scalable, and evidence-based. Your clinic must be established on a compliant legal framework. Choose a business entity such as an LLC, S-Corp, or nonprofit, and register it with the Secretary of State in your jurisdiction. Acquire an Employer Identification Number (EIN), open a dedicated business bank account, and ensure your malpractice insurance and general liability policies are active. Licensing varies by state, but many require operational approval through departments of mental health or public health. You may also need certification if you plan to bill Medicaid or Medicare. An early conversation with a healthcare attorney can prevent delays and clarify documentation needed for approval. The physical space of your clinic should promote healing while meeting regulatory standards. Look for a location that is accessible by public transportation, ADA-compliant, and zoned for healthcare use. The layout should support privacy and workflow—with dedicated rooms for therapy sessions, group meetings, staff offices, and intake assessments. Safety systems, soundproofing, natural light, and calming aesthetics should all be considered in your build-out. For telehealth or hybrid models, make sure your office technology supports secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual care. Your clinic's environment speaks volumes—before a single session begins. A mental health clinic is only as strong as its clinicians and support staff. Begin by hiring a clinical director to oversee care quality and supervise therapists. Licensed professionals—LCSWs, LPCs, LMFTs, psychologists, and psychiatrists—form the foundation of your care delivery. Ensure they are fully credentialed, carry individual malpractice insurance, and are familiar with your clinical approach. Administrative staff such as intake coordinators, billing specialists, and office managers keep operations running smoothly. Consider the culture you want to cultivate and hire individuals who align not just with your mission but with one another. A cohesive team enhances outcomes and creates a warm, stable environment for clients. Once your team is in place, standardize your approach to care. Develop treatment pathways for different presenting issues—depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and so on—and implement documentation templates to ensure uniform clinical notes. Create policies for crisis intervention, informed consent, mandatory reporting, and termination of services. Decide how you will measure success: symptom reduction, patient satisfaction, attendance rates, or outcome tracking? Investing in a clinical supervision framework, peer reviews, and continuing education helps your team maintain high standards and avoid drift. Consistency is the invisible scaffolding that supports client trust and regulatory confidence. Whether your clinic is private-pay or insurance-based, robust billing systems are essential. Select an electronic medical records (EMR) platform built for mental health that includes appointment scheduling, note-taking, and claim submission. For insurance-based practices, initiate credentialing with major payers early—it can take 3 to 6 months to complete. Understand CPT codes, common claim denials, and pre-authorization processes to keep cash flow healthy. Design policies for fee collection, cancellations, and financial hardship. A strong financial backbone allows your clinic to grow sustainably and reduces administrative burnout for your team. Promoting a mental health clinic requires a delicate balance of visibility and ethics. Start with a professional website that clearly outlines your services, bios, scheduling options, and intake procedures. Optimize your content for search engines so that local clients can find you easily. Engage with your community through partnerships with schools, physicians, and nonprofits. Social media, webinars, blogs, and podcasts are excellent tools to educate and build authority—but all content must remain HIPAA-compliant and avoid therapeutic promises. Authenticity, clarity, and professionalism build lasting trust in a space where clients are looking for safety and expertise. Even after opening your doors, your clinic must maintain continuous compliance. Implement a quality assurance program that includes peer chart reviews, client satisfaction surveys, and regular internal audits. Develop a process for handling grievances and correcting compliance issues proactively. If you're pursuing accreditation from CARF or The Joint Commission, prepare your documentation and processes accordingly. These seals of approval enhance your clinic's credibility and open the door to broader insurance contracts. Compliance is not a one-time effort—it's an ongoing practice of self-reflection and system improvement. In the competitive and evolving field of mental health and addiction services, quality assurance is a vital differentiator. Organizations seeking to demonstrate their commitment to excellence often pursue independent evaluation to strengthen credibility and improve outcomes. CARF accreditation for behavioral health signifies that a provider meets internationally recognized standards for quality and performance. This credential not only boosts trust among clients and families but also positions facilities favorably with payers and referral sources. By aligning operations with CARF's rigorous benchmarks, providers cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and accountability, ultimately enhancing the overall care experience. Starting a mental health clinic is a bold and necessary move in a society craving accessible, compassionate care. With clear intent, careful planning, and operational discipline, your clinic can become a refuge for healing and growth. From choosing a treatment model and securing licensure to hiring the right staff and implementing solid systems, every decision shapes the client experience and your clinic's long-term legacy. Success is measured not just in filled appointments—but in restored lives, empowered staff, and a community changed for the better. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Axios
2 hours ago
- Axios
Trump's Medicaid cuts threaten Florida's hospitals, most vulnerable residents
Florida's health care workers and advocates are sounding the alarm over Medicaid cuts in President Trump's tax and spending bill, arguing millions of residents could lose access to care in an already underfunded system. Why it matters: Curtailing funding will force health care providers to reduce or do away with necessary services, increase driving times for rural families seeking care and increase costs, advocates say. The big picture: The bill, which Trump signed into law Friday, has three main Medicaid shifts making medical providers nervous: Providers say adding work requirements for some recipients and conducting eligibility checks twice a year (instead of once) could lead to accidental coverage losses, starting Dec. 31, 2026. Plus: Hospitals face cuts to Medicaid payments they rely on for funding (beginning 2028). State of play: The phase-down effects of national cuts could cost the Sunshine State about $4 billion annually in Medicaid support, the Florida Health Justice Project projected. The cuts, advocates say, will likely impact the most vulnerable residents. By the numbers: As of 2024, about 4.3 million Floridians relied on Medicaid for their health care coverage — almost 19% of the state's population, according to state data. 77% of Florida's Medicaid recipients are children, seniors 65 and over, and people with disabilities, per the Health Justice Project. In January, 23% of Florida's rural hospitals were at risk of closure, with Medicaid serving as a crucial source of revenue. Medicaid serves more than 700,000 seniors and about 62% of nursing homes in the state rely on it. What they're saying: The cuts are "not an accounting tactic" but an "extreme blow" to a system that is relied on by about one in five Florida residents, Mary C. Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, wrote prior to the bill's passing. "Florida already ranks nearly dead last regarding per capita Medicaid spending," she added. Florida has "no fat to trim, no bloat to eliminate, no waste to minimize."
