Child Health Report Omits Gun Violence as Leading Cause of Child Mortality

The recent Child Health Report, released by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has drawn criticism for failing to address gun violence, which has been identified as the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the United States. The 20-page strategy aims to combat childhood chronic diseases by focusing on issues such as poor diet, environmental hazards, chemical exposures, excessive medication use, and lifestyle factors like stress and physical inactivity. However, notably absent from the report is any mention of guns, despite data showing that firearm incidents have claimed the lives of over 2,500 children in 2022 alone. Guns account for roughly 30% of all deaths among 15- to 17-year-olds, according to the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, making firearm-related fatalities the predominant cause of death in this age group since 2022.

This omission has alarmed pediatricians and public health experts, who argue that ignoring gun violence undermines efforts to improve child health outcomes. Bruce Mirken, representing the coalition Defend Public Health, criticized the report for not acknowledging the primary cause of childhood mortality. The strategy briefly touches on over 120 topics such as water quality, processed foods, and fluoride, but offers only scant detail, especially on critical issues like gun violence and environmental hazards. When questioned about the absence of guns in the discussion, Kennedy explained that the focus was on addressing the reasons young people might resort to violence, mentioning studies into factors like psychiatric medication, social media, and video games, rather than firearm policies.

Experts emphasize that the sharp rise in mass shootings since the late 1980s is a significant threat to children’s safety and health. Previous studies examining links between psychiatric drugs and violence have not established causation; rather, mental health issues are often the root. Meanwhile, research indicates that states with more permissive gun laws experience higher rates of child gun deaths. Critics argue that by not directly addressing gun control and related safety measures, the strategy misses an urgent opportunity to save lives and improve children’s health and safety.