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Boston Globe
22-05-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
4 key takeaways from a new White House report on children's health
The report provides little in the way of specific solutions to address these issues, though the commission is also expected to release recommendations later this year. What the document does offer is the clearest articulation yet of Kennedy's 'Make America Healthy Again' movement and what the broad coalition hopes to accomplish in the coming months and years. Here's what the new report tells us. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The report paints a bleak picture of American childhood. Advertisement The report presents today's children as stressed, sleep-deprived and addicted to their screens. It describes rising rates of conditions like obesity, diabetes and mental illness as a crisis that threatens the nation's health, economy and military readiness. 'Today's children are the sickest generation in American history in terms of chronic disease,' the report says. And it lashes out against technology companies and social media platforms that it says have helped create a 'technology-driven lifestyle.' It cites Jonathan Haidt, whose bestselling book 'The Anxious Generation' links the rise of smartphones and social media to worsening mental health among children -- a theory that some researchers have criticized for relying on inconclusive research. The report also notes that rates of loneliness among children have risen over the past several decades, a concern that researchers and public health experts have also raised for years. Advertisement It takes aim at vaccines. The report reiterates many of Kennedy's frequent talking points about vaccines -- with one notable exception. It does not suggest, as he has for decades, that childhood vaccines may be responsible for the rise in autism diagnoses among American children. But it implies that the increase in routine immunizations given to children may be harmful to them, which many scientists say is based on an incorrect understanding of immunology. The shots administered to children today are more efficient, and they contain far fewer stimulants to the immune system -- by orders of magnitude -- than they did decades ago, experts say. Vaccines are also largely responsible for the sharp drop in deaths among children younger than 5. 'The growth of the vaccination schedule does reflect the fact that we can prevent a lot more suffering and death in children than we could generations ago,' said Jason Schwartz, an associate professor of health policy at the Yale School of Public Health. 'Rather than celebrating that, it's often seen as a reason for skepticism or concern,' he said. The report also repeats Kennedy's assertion that childhood vaccines have not been tested in clinical trials involving placebos. In fact, new vaccines are tested against placebos whenever it is necessary, feasible and ethical to do so. Advertisement Some European countries, including Britain, do not mandate vaccinations as most American states do, the report notes. While that's true, misinformation and mistrust have led to record numbers of measles cases in Europe and have cost Britain its measles elimination status. The report notes correctly that surveillance systems in the United States for detecting side effects related to vaccines have serious shortcomings. But detection of rare side effects requires huge amounts of data, which is difficult to collect from the nation's fragmented health care system. The report urges federal agencies to 'build systems for real-world safety monitoring of pediatric drugs' -- which presumably include vaccines -- but it is unclear how those initiatives would differ from the systems already in use. It puts a major emphasis on ultraprocessed foods. The report says that 'the food American children are eating' is causing their health to decline. 'It's terrific to see such a clear, direct admission from the government that we are failing our children's health -- and that our food is one dominant driver,' said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, the director of the Food Is Medicine Institute at Tufts University. Nearly 70% of the calories consumed by children and adolescents in the United States come from ultraprocessed foods. These industrially manufactured foods and drinks, like sodas, chicken nuggets, instant soups and packaged snacks, have been linked with a greater risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other conditions. The report appropriately calls out an excess of ultraprocessed foods and not enough fruits and vegetables as problems with children's diets, Mozaffarian said, but it 'misses the massive problem of high salt,' which can cause high blood pressure in children. He also said he wished it had focused more on the 'many other severe deficiencies in the American diet,' like a lack of legumes, nuts, minimally processed whole grains, fish, yogurt and healthy plant oils. Advertisement Marion Nestle, an emerita professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University, said that overall, the report 'did a phenomenal job' describing how ultraprocessed foods are harming children's health. The question, she said, is how the administration will fix the problems that are articulated in the report. 'In order for them to do anything about this, they're going to have to take on corporate industry,' including agriculture, food and chemical industries, she said. Food manufacturers, for example, could make healthier foods and stop marketing 'junk food' to children, she said. Such changes would most likely require federal regulations, she said, because historically, companies have resisted making them voluntarily. The report highlights a lack of government funding for nutrition research as part of the problem -- a point scientists have been making for years. The situation has worsened during President Donald Trump's second term, however, as many diet researchers have had federal grants abruptly terminated. Kevin Hall, whose research on ultraprocessed foods is prominently cited in the new report, left his post at the National Institutes of Health in April, citing censorship. The report points a finger at synthetic chemicals but pulls some punches. The commission's report accurately describes worsening health among American children, said Dr. Philip Landrigan, a pediatrician and epidemiologist who directs the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good at Boston College. And it notes a number of synthetic chemicals, like pesticides and microplastics, that may play a role. 'The first 18 pages of the report are brilliant,' Landrigan said. Advertisement But he said it understated the known risks of many chemicals. For example, the report's authors downplay the hazards of phthalates, used to make plastics, and of certain pesticides that have been deemed dangerous to children's health but remain widely used. 'They mentioned correctly that phthalates can trigger hormone dysregulation, but they could have also said that phthalates produce birth defects of the male reproductive organs and can lead to infertility,' Landrigan said. While the report mentions concerns about crop-protection tools such as pesticides, 'that's really an understatement,' Landrigan said. He noted that studies of the widely used insecticide chlorpyrifos show 'clearly that it causes brain damage in kids and reduces children's IQ and causes behavioral problems.' The pesticide was banned from household use 25 years ago because of the risks to children, and banned from use on all crops three years ago. But the Environmental Protection Agency recently permitted its use on fruits like apples and oranges because of lawsuits brought by the manufacturer and growers' associations. The report also stopped short of calling two common pesticides used on many food crops, glyphosate and atrazine, unsafe after pushback from farmers, industry lobbyists and Republican lawmakers. Landrigan and colleagues from the Consortium for Children's Environmental Health recently advocated in The New England Journal of Medicine for a national approval process for all existing and new chemicals. Independent scientific assessments would be required to show the chemicals were not toxic to anyone, especially children, and postmarketing surveillance would be required. Yet the federal agencies that could regulate chemical exposures have been gutted in recent layoffs. Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, pointed out that the report called for 'gold-standard research,' even as the administration had drastically cut funding for science and halted payments to universities like Harvard and Columbia. Advertisement 'They're not walking the walk,' he said. 'They're just talking.' This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Life Expectancy Has Barely Changed in Some US States For More Than a Century
A new study highlights worrying differences in life expectancy trends across the United States, showing that states are far from equal when it comes to implementing public health measures and extending the lifespans of the people living within them. Researchers from institutions in the US and Canada looked at records covering more than 179 million deaths between 1969 and 2020, using a birth cohort approach to the data – so figuring out how long people of each generation lived for. The statistics were extrapolated to cover life expectancy changes between 1900 and 2000. "Looking at mortality trends by cohort gives us a more accurate reflection of the lived experiences of populations," says Theodore Holford, a biostatistician from the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH). "It shows the long-term impact of policies and social conditions affecting the life course of populations that might otherwise be invisible in year-by-year comparisons of mortality rates from different generations." While average life expectancy rose across the board for the years included in this study, there were major discrepancies between locations. For some states, especially in the South, there was little progress across a century of statistics. The biggest gains in life expectancy were in the northeastern and western states, and the District of Columbia (DC). In fact, DC showed remarkable improvements: life expectancy rose by 30 years for women and 38 years for men, from the lowest level across any of the states in 1900. These gaps are indicators of multiple factors, the researchers say, including socioeconomic conditions, access to healthcare, changing (or unchanging) demographics, and policies put in place by local governments. "For females born in some Southern states, life expectancy increased by less than three years from 1900 to 2000," says Holford. "That's a staggering contrast when you consider that in states like New York and California, life expectancy rose by more than 20 years over the same period." There were stark differences too in mortality increases: how quickly your risk of death rises each year after 35. New York, DC, and Florida came out on top here, with Oklahoma, Iowa, and Kansas at the opposite end of the table. The research team hopes that the study could inform policymakers to tailor interventions that boost life expectancy, such as healthcare access and environmental protections, based on the specific needs of different regions. Unfortunately, massive cuts to US government funding for healthcare and health research could set that goal back dramatically. Of course it's very difficult to pick out specific influences on life expectancy from such a broad collection of data, but it's clear that for now, where you live in the US goes a long way to determining how long you live. "This research highlights the importance of viewing health through a generational lens," says Jamie Tam, a health policy expert at YSPH. "The benefits of health interventions ripple across lifetimes. A failure to act early and invest in public health harms future generations as well." The research has been published in JAMA Network Open. These 3 Common Spices Could Be Interfering With Your Medication Is Matcha The New Morning Brew? Here's What to Know About This Ancient Superfood. Controversial New Study Links Parkinson's With Living Near a Golf Course
Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Map Shows US Counties With Life Expectancy Below North Korea's
Newsweek has created a map that highlights a sobering reality for parts of the United States: in dozens of U.S. counties, average life expectancy is now lower than that of North Korea. Life expectancy in North Korea-a country often cited for its economic hardship and limited healthcare access-stood at 72.6 years in 2021, according to the World Health Organization. Yet in parts of the United States-particularly in Southern states including Mississippi, Kentucky and West Virginia-county-level data shows average life expectancies below that threshold, according to the County Health Rankings project, an annual analysis conducted by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. It comes as new research carried out by the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), published in JAMA Network Open, found that certain states' life expectancy is far worse than others-particularly in parts of the Deep South and Appalachia-underscoring the severity of health inequities within the United States. The U.S. spends more on health care per capita than any other country, yet significant health disparities persist, particularly in rural and low-income areas. Many of the counties falling below North Korea's life expectancy benchmark are in regions with high poverty rates, limited access to medical care, and a high burden of chronic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. U.S. counties where life expectancy falls below North Korea's average of 72.9 years include: Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota: 56.9 yearsMcDowell County, West Virginia: 65.1 yearsUnion County, Florida: 67.9 yearsMonroe County, Arkansas: 68.8 yearsKusilvak Census Area, Alaska: 65 years The Yale School of Public Health study, published last month, looked at mortality trends by cohort, rather than standard life expectancy calculations, which estimate how long a newborn today is expected to live. While states in the West and Northeast saw continuous improvements, parts of the South have stagnated. For instance, female life expectancy in some Southern states increased by fewer than three years between the 1900 and 2000 birth cohorts. For males in the same region, life expectancy increased by less than two years since the 1950 cohort. Washington, D.C., had the lowest life expectancy in the 1900 birth cohort at 61.1 years, but it achieved one of the most significant gains over the century, reaching 72.8 years. The Yale study examined the rate at which mortality increased after age 35, which is summarized by the number of years it takes for an individual's risk of death to double. Longer doubling times indicate healthier aging. Regional differences were clear: New York and Florida showed slower mortality increases, while Oklahoma and Iowa saw faster mortality escalations. After 35 years of age, the highest rate-doubling time in a state was 9.39 years in New York for females and 11.47 years for males in Florida. Conversely, Oklahoma and Iowa exhibited the fastest doubling of death rates after age 35-a sign of more rapid health deterioration among their populations. The study concluded: "From 1969 to 2020, period life expectancy increased, although there was greater improvement for some states in the West and Northeast and less for some states in the South. "Some states in the West and Northeast showed increases in the cohort life expectancy greater than 30 years for those born in 2000 compared with 1900. However, in parts of the South, female cohort life expectancy increased by less than 2 years. "For male cohorts in parts of the South, life expectancy increased from 1900 to 1950 but by less than 2 years after 1950." County Health Rankings and Roadmaps says: "Safe housing, jobs that pay a living wage and well-resourced schools are among the factors, often called the social determinants of health, that make up a healthy community. "How these conditions are created, distributed and maintained determines the opportunity for everyone to thrive. Written and unwritten societal rules-and how they are applied-shape conditions for healthy communities. "Rules may be written in the form of policies and laws, or unwritten, in the form of worldviews and norms. Together, power and rules are the structural determinants of health." Yale researchers have called for policy changes to address the gaps in life expectancy across the country. "The disparities we see today are the result of decades of cumulative effects-on smoking rates, health care access, environmental exposures, and public health investments," the study's lead author, Theodore R. Holford, said. "Without conscious policy changes, these gaps will likely persist or even widen." Newsweek has contacted the Department of Health and Human Services, via email, for comment. Related Articles Map Shows Where Marijuana Is Legal as Pennsylvania Bill Moves ForwardMap Shows Where Child Marriage Remains Legal as Maine Ban Becomes LawMap Shows Rarest Baby Names in Each StateMap Shows Fluoride Bans on Drinking Water in US States 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Map Shows US Counties With Life Expectancy Below North Korea's
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Newsweek has created a map that highlights a sobering reality for parts of the United States: in dozens of U.S. counties, average life expectancy is now lower than that of North Korea. Life expectancy in North Korea—a country often cited for its economic hardship and limited healthcare access—stood at 72.6 years in 2021, according to the World Health Organization. Yet in parts of the United States—particularly in Southern states including Mississippi, Kentucky and West Virginia—county-level data shows average life expectancies below that threshold, according to the County Health Rankings project, an annual analysis conducted by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. It comes as new research carried out by the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), published in JAMA Network Open, found that certain states' life expectancy is far worse than others—particularly in parts of the Deep South and Appalachia—underscoring the severity of health inequities within the United States. Why It Matters The U.S. spends more on health care per capita than any other country, yet significant health disparities persist, particularly in rural and low-income areas. Many of the counties falling below North Korea's life expectancy benchmark are in regions with high poverty rates, limited access to medical care, and a high burden of chronic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. What To Know U.S. counties where life expectancy falls below North Korea's average of 72.9 years include: Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota: 56.9 years 56.9 years McDowell County, West Virginia : 65.1 years : 65.1 years Union County, Florida : 67.9 years : 67.9 years Monroe County, Arkansas : 68.8 years : 68.8 years Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska: 65 years The Yale School of Public Health study, published last month, looked at mortality trends by cohort, rather than standard life expectancy calculations, which estimate how long a newborn today is expected to live. While states in the West and Northeast saw continuous improvements, parts of the South have stagnated. For instance, female life expectancy in some Southern states increased by fewer than three years between the 1900 and 2000 birth cohorts. For males in the same region, life expectancy increased by less than two years since the 1950 cohort. Washington, D.C., had the lowest life expectancy in the 1900 birth cohort at 61.1 years, but it achieved one of the most significant gains over the century, reaching 72.8 years. The Yale study examined the rate at which mortality increased after age 35, which is summarized by the number of years it takes for an individual's risk of death to double. Longer doubling times indicate healthier aging. Regional differences were clear: New York and Florida showed slower mortality increases, while Oklahoma and Iowa saw faster mortality escalations. After 35 years of age, the highest rate-doubling time in a state was 9.39 years in New York for females and 11.47 years for males in Florida. Conversely, Oklahoma and Iowa exhibited the fastest doubling of death rates after age 35—a sign of more rapid health deterioration among their populations. The study concluded: "From 1969 to 2020, period life expectancy increased, although there was greater improvement for some states in the West and Northeast and less for some states in the South. "Some states in the West and Northeast showed increases in the cohort life expectancy greater than 30 years for those born in 2000 compared with 1900. However, in parts of the South, female cohort life expectancy increased by less than 2 years. "For male cohorts in parts of the South, life expectancy increased from 1900 to 1950 but by less than 2 years after 1950." What People Are Saying County Health Rankings and Roadmaps says: "Safe housing, jobs that pay a living wage and well-resourced schools are among the factors, often called the social determinants of health, that make up a healthy community. "How these conditions are created, distributed and maintained determines the opportunity for everyone to thrive. Written and unwritten societal rules—and how they are applied—shape conditions for healthy communities. "Rules may be written in the form of policies and laws, or unwritten, in the form of worldviews and norms. Together, power and rules are the structural determinants of health." What Happens Next Yale researchers have called for policy changes to address the gaps in life expectancy across the country. "The disparities we see today are the result of decades of cumulative effects—on smoking rates, health care access, environmental exposures, and public health investments," the study's lead author, Theodore R. Holford, said. "Without conscious policy changes, these gaps will likely persist or even widen." Newsweek has contacted the Department of Health and Human Services, via email, for comment.
The Hill
04-05-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Life expectancy in southern states barely changed from 1900 to 2000
(NewsNation) — New research suggests that how long a person lives can vary by where they live in the United States. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans' life expectancy rose in 2023 and hit the highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic. In some states throughout the South, however, life expectancy changed very little, especially for women. Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health analyzed death data from 77 million women and 102 million men born from 1900 to 2000 and found that nationwide, life expectancy for women increased from 73.8 to 84.1, and for men, it jumped from 62.8 to 80.3. Streamlined HHS focused on tackling chronic disease: RFK Jr. The bottom five states for life expectancy among women born in 2000 compared to 1900 are: Arkansas, where the increase was 76.6 from 75.7 Kentucky, up 76.5 from 74.9 Mississippi, up 76.6 from 73.2 Oklahoma, down to 76 from 76.7 West Virginia, up 75.3 from 74.3 Southern men born in 2000 also tended to have a lower life expectancy, but showed more improvement than women since 1900 in these southern states: Alabama, with an increase of 72.6 from 62.5 Louisiana, up 72.9 from 61.5 Mississippi, up 71.8 from 62.3 Tennessee, up 73.4 from 63.6 West Virginia, up 72.6 from 63.7 Southern states that showed a greater life expectancy for both men and women were Florida, Texas and Virginia. The authors of the study attributed the country's overall decrease in mortality rates to improvements in sanitation, healthcare and tobacco policies nationally. They also cited differences in state public health policies between individual states to explain the regional discrepancies in life expectancy.
