Alwyn Poole
Began teaching in 1991. Founded/led Mt Hobson MS–18 years. Co-founded SAMS and MSWA. Econs degree, Masters in Edn, tchg dip, post grad dip – sport.
The White House 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 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 per cent 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 US more than one in five children over six years old are obese. This is a more than 270 per cent increase compared to the 1970s, when less than one in 20 children over six were obese. Rates of severe obesity increased by over 500 per cent in the same period.
● The US obesity rate is, on average, more than double that of its G7 peers.
● Approximately 80 per cent of obese teens will be obese into adulthood.
● Around 70 per cent of youth with obesity already have at least one risk factor for heart disease.
Rates of Neurodevelopmental Disorders are Increasing
● Autism spectrum disorder impacts one in 31 children by age eight 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 one in 10,000 children. In the 1980s, autism occurred at rates of one to four out of 10,000 children.
● Over 10 per cent of children have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with approximately one 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 per cent since 1975.
American Youth Face a Mental Health Crisis
● Teenage depression rates nearly doubled from 2009 to 2019, with more than one in four 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 per cent 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 per cent among adolescents between 2016 and 2023.
● Over 57 per cent of girls report feelings of sadness and hopelessness, while suicidal ideation in teen girls has surged by 60 per cent since 2010.
Allergies are Widespread, and Autoimmune Disorders are Rising
● Today, over one in four American children suffers from allergies, including seasonal allergies, eczema, and food allergies. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) and skin allergies increased from 7.4 per cent of children under 18 from 1997–1999 to 12.7 per cent from 2016–2018.
● Between 1997 and 2018, childhood food‑allergy prevalence rose 88 per cent.
● Coeliac disease rates have increased five-fold in American children since the 1980s.
● Rates of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Crohn’s, have increased by 25 per cent over the last decade.
This article was originally published by Education... the Absolute Best Ways.
