JAKARTA – A new study published in the journal JAMA revealed that children’s health has decreased since 2007.
Researchers report that by 2023, a child may have a 15% to 20% greater chance of experiencing chronic conditions than children in 2011.
Children are now more susceptible to death when they are still babies due to premature birth, sudden infant mortality syndrome (SIDS), congenital disorder, and respiratory tract infection, higher than 17 years ago.
Meanwhile, children who are bigger face a higher risk of death from firearms violence, traffic accidents, and abuse of addictive substances. The rate of depression, anxiety, obesity, and sleep apnea has also increased, as well as cases of autism, developmental delays, and ADHD.
Research also shows that children in the US are 80% more likely to die than children their age in European countries. For children under the age of 12 months, the main cause of death is premature birth and SIDS. Whereas in children over one year, the biggest causes are armed violence and motor vehicle accidents.
“This finding is a call to action, to address the root of the problem and to refocus attention on efforts to promote the health of the entire population,” said Dr. Alex Kemper, Head of the Primary Care Pediatrician Division at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, quoted from the Parents page.
According to Dr. Kemper, children’s health cannot be seen separately because it reflects the overall public health condition. For example, the main cause of infant mortality is premature birth. So, improving the mother’s health can reduce these risks.
“For the bigger children, the main cause of death is firearms and we have to deal with this,” explained Dr. Kemper.
Other factors that worsen children’s health include low access to nutritious food and green open spaces. Other studies show children from families who experience food insecurity are more likely to become obese.
Many complex social factors also affect this health inequality. In addition to overcoming these things, Dr. Kemper emphasized that children and adolescents also need access to health services in order to prevent or deal with health problems early.
“There is also a new threat lurking. Currently we are facing the highest number ofcampuric cases in more than 25 years, even though vaccines that are safe and effective are very easily accessible. Doubts about vaccines are likely to have a long-term negative impact. Cutting access to medical services will also exacerbate this trend,” said Dr. Kemper.
Shootings at schools hit the highest point in history, according to a study published last year in Pediatrics. In the last 10 years, the death toll and injuries have increased compared to 15 years earlier.
“Violence of firearms is now the number one cause of death in children and adolescents,” said Dr. Heather Felton, pediatrician at Norton Children’s, Kentucky.
“This is a preventable death, and this is a very American crisis,” he continued.
Most of these issues are related to the ease of access to firearms, especially at home, and the lack of adequate regulatory policies.
The increase in the death toll from firearms is very worrying, said Dr. Jolie Rivera, pediatrician at IWS Children’s Clinic, Illinois.
“When I was in college, traffic accidents were the main cause of death. But since 2009, firearms have taken over from that position and are still the main cause,” he continued.
According to Dr. Kemper, this problem has developed for a long time, and there will be no instant solutions, especially at the individual level. He emphasized that there is a need for public policy to address the root of this problem.
“We don’t just have to prevent children and adolescents from health problems, but also have to make sure they can grow well and be successful in adults. This is a complicated and tough job, but it’s very important for our future.”
Dr. Rivera added that improvements must be made collectively, involving political leaders, health workers, and the community.
“We must focus on prevention, starting from ensuring pregnant women get quality prenatal care so that parents have access to child health services, including immunization and routine checks,” he explained.
He also highlighted the decline in the number of medical students interested in entering the field of pediatrics, partly because this field is known as one of the lowest-paid in the medical world.
Family and caregivers are advised to talk to children’s medical personnel about things that can be done so that children grow up healthy. This includes the practice of safe sleep, the use of a correct car seat and seat belt, immunization, safe storage of firearms, as well as a healthy diet and physical activity.
But more than that, parents and community members also need to discuss and work together to implement proof-based solutions for the common good.
Here are some suggestions from Dr. Felton and Dr. Rivera so that children stay healthy and this bad trend can be fixed:
– Regularly carry out child health checks and visits
– Let pediatricians monitor health conditions and provide preventive guidance
– Find out which community services are available
– Follow the safe sleep guide for babies
– Prioritize adequate sleep, healthy food, and regular exercise
– Limit children’s time to use social media and screens
– Monitor children’s mental health and support access to related services.
– Save firearms safely, and invite your child to discuss weapons, even if you don’t have them
– Encourage children to play more, because this is good for mental and physical health
– Involve children in organized activities or sports
– Contact members of the legislature to encourage better firearms regulation
– Support additional funds for early intervention programs and activities after school
Mental health services for children are often still very limited, said Dr. Felton.
“School and community support, weapons security legislation, and programs to address inequality in access to healthy foods, places to study and play that are safe, education, and health services can help overcome this problem.” he continued.
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