Dying Young—Falling Life Expectancy in the U.S.
By the Children's Health Defense Team
Life expectancy in the U.S. has fallen for several years in a row, not because we're hitting a cap for lifespans of people in their 80s, but because people are dying in their 20s and 30s. Comparing unfavorably to their counterparts in other high-income nations, Americans lead lives are not just shorter but also less healthy, with a health disadvantage, that begins at birth and extends across the life course.
54% of U.S. children live with at least one chronic health condition, such as diabetes, obesity, and asthma. Neurological disorders were the third leading cause of death as of 2014. In 2017, suicide was the second leading cause of death for children and young adults. For both children and young adults, cancer is consistently within the top three to five causes of death.
What does the science indicate? What are the links to children’s poor health? What can you do to help yourself and your kids?
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