Protecting your kids from a chronic illness tsunami— A new study offers tips that holistically minded folks can use to keep kids healthy in the face of a chronic illness onslaught. The lessons are applicable globally, although the study primarily focuses on America.
The study found that children’s health in America has deteriorated, leading to an increase in preventable illnesses and deaths that far exceed those in other wealthy nations. This groundbreaking work, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association JAMA emphasizes that the decline is caused by the accumulation of many factors—a concept known to many (and which I’ve covered in this column) as Total Stress Load.
What the Study Found: A Stark Reality
The study analyzed trends from 2007 to 2022, comparing mortality and chronic illness rates among children ages 1-19 in the U.S. with those in 18 other high-income countries.
The findings were sobering:
- Children in the U.S. were 1.8 times more likely to die than their peers in other affluent countries, with about 54 excess deaths daily.
- The largest disparities were due to gun violence (15 times higher) and vehicular accidents (more than twice as likely).
- Chronic health conditions nearly doubled over the past few decades; now almost half of U.S. children are treated for chronic illnesses such as mental health disorders (depression, anxiety), autism spectrum disorders, behavioral and developmental delays, obesity, sleep disturbances, and early puberty.
- Infant mortality was particularly concerning, with U.S. infants being 1.78 times more likely to die than infants in other rich countries, largely due to prematurity and sudden unexpected infant deaths.
Dr. Chris Forrest, a pediatrics professor and co-author of the study, expressed deep concern: “Kids in this country are really suffering.” He stressed that no unique genetic factor could explain the crisis; instead, it involves broader societal and environmental issues affecting the entire pediatric population.
Total Stress Load: A Holistic Framework
The study’s authors and accompanying editorials emphasize that this stems not from a single cause but from the combined impact of multiple environmental, social, behavioral, and systemic stressors. Many of these are known to Best Holistic Life readers, but what’s new is clear evidence that the combination counts.
Dr. Forrest describes the problem as embedded in the “ecosystem” that children grow up in.
This includes:
- Environmental toxins and ultraprocessed foods are undermining physical health.
- Pervasive technology use and social isolation affecting mental well-being.
- Unsafe neighborhoods and a lack of access to quality play and learning spaces.
- Healthcare deserts, especially maternity and pediatric care shortages.
- Policy decisions that reduce funding for injury prevention and mental health services.
Each stressor is a “drop” falling into a bucket. When enough drops accumulate, that bucket overflows, manifesting in mounting chronic illnesses and preventable deaths.
This holistic view recognizes that children’s health is integrally connected to the health and resources of their families and communities, requiring systemic changes rather than simplistic fixes.
Why a Holistic View Matters for Families
Focusing narrowly on one factor—say, just diet or screen time—misses the bigger picture of how different pressures combine to overwhelm children’s physical and mental resilience. For example, a child with poor nutrition (which isn’t limited to underprivileged kids), who is also exposed to high-violence environments (mental or physical) with limited healthcare, suffers a heavier total load than a child exposed to only one of these risks.
The study’s urgency signals that addressing chronic disease and mortality among children demands consideration of the total context of their lives.
What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Children
Although systemic reforms are essential, parents can take meaningful steps within their control to reduce their children’s total stress load and build resilience:
1. Cultivate Safe and Nurturing Environments
Strive to create secure homes and neighborhoods. Utilize safety measures, such as secure storage of firearms, proper use of child car seats, and vigilant supervision, to minimize accident risks.
2. Promote Healthy Nutrition and Activity
Prioritize whole, minimally processed foods and regular physical activity. Limit exposure to ultraprocessed foods and excessive screen time, supporting both physical and mental health.
3. Prioritize Sleep and Routine
Consistent sleep schedules foster emotional regulation and physical repair, reducing vulnerability to illnesses.
4. Build Strong Social Connections
Encourage relationships with family, peers, teachers, and community members. Social support acts as a buffer against stress and promotes healthy development.
5. Advocate for Mental Health
Be attentive to signs of anxiety, depression, or behavioral issues. Seek timely professional support and maintain an open dialogue about feelings and challenges.
6. Stay Up-to-Date on Recommended Healthcare
Keep immunizations current to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. Regular pediatric checkups can detect early warning signs of chronic conditions.
7. Reduce Environmental Exposures
Minimize children’s contact with toxins such as tobacco smoke, pesticides, and indoor air pollutants. This might seem difficult, but in earlier columns, I described how you can indeed keep many of these out of your home environment.
8. Engage with Community and Policy Efforts
Support initiatives aimed at improving child health infrastructure, safe environments, and equitable healthcare access.
The Larger Call to Action
The health of American children is a multifaceted problem requiring a comprehensive, total stress load approach. This means addressing not only medical care but social determinants, environmental exposures, and policy decisions that shape children’s everyday worlds. To learn about the many facets of Total Stress Load and some of the recent advances in reversing the damage, read Discovering the Nature of Longevity, Restoring the heart and body by targeting hidden stress. Available at Amazon.com
“Total Stress Load is being recognized as the biggest factor affecting health, and there are things you can do about it that the healthcare system often overlooks.” – Douglas Mulhall
Get Douglas Mulhall’s Book
- About the author: Douglas Mulhall’s latest book, Discovering the Nature of Longevity: Restoring the Heart and Body by Targeting Hidden Stress, explores prevention and therapies for heavy metal contamination. The American Institute of Stress recommends it and carries a Foreword by the Chief author of the American Heart Association statement on toxic heavy metals. He co-develops award-winning certifications and standards for products globally and is a registered ISO expert on a global standard for declaring the contents of products.
- Read more from VIP Executive Contributor Douglas Mulhall