A hugely important document for NZ to learn from.
The Whitehouse recently released a document titled: Make America Healthy Again.
The health trends listed are stark – and the needed solutions are clear (even if is going to be like doing an Aircraft Carrier doing a u-turn in the Suez Canal).
In many of the crisis stats NZ is not far behind.
These are the crisis stats for young people in the USA. The themes should be familiar.
For reasons and suggested solutions, the full document is here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MAHA-Report-The-White-House.pdf
'The health of American children is in crisis. Despite outspending peer nations by more than double per capita on healthcare, the United States ranks last in life expectancy among high-income countries – and suffers higher rates of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Today's children are the sickest generation in American history in terms of chronic disease and these preventable trends continue to worsen each year.'
America's children are facing an unprecedented health crisis. Over 40% of the roughly 73 million children (aged 0-17) in the United States have at least one chronic health condition, according to the CDC, such as asthma, allergies, obesity, autoimmune diseases, or behavioral disorders. Although estimates vary depending on the conditions included, all studies show an alarming increase over time.
Childhood Obesity is a Worsening Health Crisis
● Today in the U.S. more than 1 in 5 children over 6 years old are obese. This is a more than 270% increase compared to the 1970s, when less than one in twenty children over 6 were obese. Rates of severe obesity increased by over 500% in the same period.
● The U.S. obesity rate is, on average, more than double that of its G7 peers.
● Approximately 80% of obese teens will be obese into adulthood.
● Around 70% of youth with obesity already have at least one risk factor for heart disease.
Rates of Neurodevelopmental Disorders are Increasing
● Autism spectrum disorder impacts 1 in 31 children by age 8 and is estimated to be 3.4 times more common in boys than girls, according to the CDC. Rates also vary significantly by state – from 9.7 per 1,000 in Texas (Laredo) to 53 per 1,000 in California. In 1960, autism occurred in less than 1 in 10,000 children. In the 1980s, autism occurred at rates of 1 to 4 out of 10,000 children.
● Over 10% of children have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with approximately 1 million more children diagnosed in 2022 compared to 2016.
● Rates of other neurodevelopmental disorders and learning impairments are also increasing. Over 7.5 million K-12 students received special education services in 2023-24.
Childhood Cancer Incidence Has Risen Dramatically
● Childhood cancer incidence has risen over 40% since 1975.
American Youth face a Mental Health Crisis
● Teenage depression rates nearly doubled from 2009 to 2019, with more than 1 in 4 teenage girls in 2022 reporting a major depressive episode in the past year.
● Three million high school students seriously considered suicide in 2023.
● Suicide deaths among 10- to 24-year-olds increased by 62% from 2007 to 2021, and suicide is now the second leading cause of death in teens aged 15-19.
● The prevalence of diagnosed anxiety increased by 61% among adolescents between 2016 and 2023.
● Over 57% of girls report feelings of sadness and hopelessness, while suicidal ideation in teen girls has surged by 60% since 2010.
Allergies are Widespread, and Autoimmune Disorders are Rising
● Today, over 1 in 4 American children suffers from allergies, including seasonal allergies, eczema, and food allergies. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) and skin allergies increased from 7.4% of children under 18 from 1997-1999 to 12.7% from 2016-2018.
● Between 1997 and 2018, childhood food‑allergy prevalence rose 88%.
● Celiac disease rates have increased 5-fold in American children since the 1980s.
● Rates of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn's, have increased by 25% over the last decade.
Alwyn Poole
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www.linkedin.com/in/alwyn-poole-16b02151/
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