Why Children and Teens in the United States Die

Although death in childhood is uncommon, 20,360 children died in the United States in 2016. In the past century, the causes of death after the first year of life have changed dramatically. A review of 2016 U.S. surveillance data of the leading causes of deaths among children (aged 1–9 years) and adolescents (aged 10–19 years) showed the following:

• Motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death overall (20%) and in adolescents.

• Firearms accounted for 15% of deaths; 59% of these deaths were homicides, 35% suicides, and 4% unintentional.

• Cancer was the third leading cause of death (9%).

• Suffocation accounted for 7% of deaths.

• Drug overdose was the sixth leading cause of death.

• Death between ages 5 and 9 was rare; cancer was the predominant cause.

• The majority of deaths (68%) occurred in adolescents.

• Causes of death varied by age and geography; for example, drowning was the leading cause of death in ages 1 to 4, and firearm-related deaths were more common in rural areas.

• Disparities by race/ethnicity were found: Mortality rates from firearms and medical issues (e.g., heart disease) were highest in black youth, motor vehicle death rates were highest in Native American youth, and drug overdose death rates were highest in white youth.