At all ages, children in the United States have higher mortality rates than children in other high-income countries, according to a new study from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The results of the study will be presented at the Pediatric Society of America (PAS) 2026 Conference, April 24-27 in Boston.
The study found that the U.S. mortality disadvantage emerged among older youth as early as 1952 and has persisted for more than 50 years. Although both the United States and peer countries made dramatic advances throughout the 20th century, peer countries improved at a faster pace, especially in the postwar decades. By 2023, the gap was widest among those ages 15 to 19, with men in that age group accounting for nearly one-third of excess child deaths in the United States. Between 1975 and 2023, approximately 800,000 excess child deaths occurred in the United States compared to other countries. This equates to approximately 45 excess child deaths every day. Findings indicate that preventing youth injury, violence, and self-harm, and supporting maternal and child health are high-priority policy goals.
The child mortality disadvantage in the United States has persisted for decades and is now increasingly concentrated among older youth, especially men. These findings highlight the urgent need to address preventable causes of death, particularly injuries, violence, and self-harm, as the United States continues to lag behind its peers. ”
Lauren J. Koenigsberg, program manager at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and lead author of the study
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia previously reported that child mortality rates in the United States are 80% higher than in 18 countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (Forrest et al, JAMA, 2025). The current study extends that research by examining when this disparity first emerged, how persistent it has been over nearly 90 years, and which age and gender groups contribute the most.
Additional information is included in the study summary below. PAS Meetings connects thousands of leading pediatric researchers, clinicians, and educators from around the world. Please see the PAS 2026 Program Guide for the full schedule.
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