Explore national- and state-level data for hundreds of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures, including background information about each measure. Use features on this page to find measures; view subpopulations, trends and rankings; and download and share content.
Kentucky Value:
Number of deaths per 100,000 children ages 1-19
Kentucky Rank:
Explore Population Data:
Appears In:
Number of deaths per 100,000 children ages 1-19
<= 24.7
24.8 - 27.8
27.9 - 31.5
31.6 - 37.7
>= 37.8
US Value: 29.0
Top State(s): Massachusetts: 15.8
Bottom State(s): Mississippi: 49.4
Definition: Number of deaths per 100,000 children ages 1-19
Data Source and Years(s): CDC WONDER, Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2020-2022
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC WONDER, Multiple Cause of Death Files, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2024.
Most childhood deaths are preventable. In 2020-2022, the leading causes of death among children in the United States ages 1-19 were accidents (unintentional injuries), homicide, suicide, cancer and congenital abnormalities. Most homicides of young children are committed by parents or family members, while older children are more likely to be killed by acquaintances. The leading mechanisms of injury death (intentional and unintentional) in 2020-2022 were firearms, followed by motor vehicle traffic accidents and poisoning. The U.S. is the only nation among its economic peers where firearms are the leading cause of child mortality.
According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the rate of child mortality is higher among:
To combat accidents as the leading cause of child mortality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published resources and recommendations on drowning prevention; proper use of car seats, booster seats and seat belts to reduce car crash injuries; and familial and school support approaches to reduce substance use and related injury. The CDC also maintains a listing of effective and promising youth violence prevention strategies, such as universal school-based programs, which are also recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force.
Youth suicide is preventable and can be substantially reduced by:
Youth.gov provides further resources on preventing youth suicide.
Healthy People 2030 has an objective to decrease child mortality.
Barber, Catherine W., and Matthew J. Miller. “Reducing a Suicidal Person’s Access to Lethal Means of Suicide.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 47, no. 3 (September 2014): S264–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2014.05.028.
Puzzanchera, Charles, Sarah Hockenberry, and Melissa Sickmund. “Youth and the Juvenile Justice System: 2022 National Report.” Pittsburgh, PA: National Center for Juvenile Justice, December 2022. https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/publications/2022-national-report.pdf.
Task Force on Community Preventive Services. “A Recommendation to Reduce Rates of Violence Among School-Aged Children and Youth by Means of Universal School-Based Violence Prevention Programs.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 33, no. 2, Supplement (August 1, 2007): S112–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2007.04.014.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.