During 2019 to 2021, the U.S. experienced one of the greatest increases in all-cause pediatric fatalities (ages 1-19 years) in more than 50 years, with increased mortality disproportionately resulting from preventable injuries.
In May 2024, new research published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Network) found racial and ethnic disparities prevalent amongst all leading causes of injury and death in U.S. Youth. The study analyzed data from 1999 to 2020 revealing racial and ethnic disparities across preventable health outcomes widening, particularly for American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) and Black youth populations.
Table: Mortality per 100,000 Youth Aged 1-19 Years by Race and Ethnicity*
In comparison to White youth:
Racial and ethnic disparities are significant across almost all leading causes of injury and disease, contributing to the recent increases in youth mortality rates. Firearms remain the dominant mechanism of injury amongst both populations, with firearm fatalities being a leading factor in disparities. Efforts to address these disparities must focus on preventing homicides and suicides—particularly those involving firearms—in order to improve outcomes for AIAN youth and Black youth.
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Authors on this publication represent: The Department of Pediatrics at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine; The Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University; The Department of Pediatrics at University of Washington School of Medicine; Seattle Children’s Research Institute; JAMA Network Open; The Department of Pediatrics and the Cecil G Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; the Department of Epidemiology and Center on Society and Heath at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Population Health; and the Department of Family Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine.
