Every child deserves the freedom to grow up safe—to learn, play, and dream without fear.
But in the United States, that freedom is too often denied. Firearms are now the leading cause of death for U.S. children—a uniquely American tragedy for which no other wealthy country compares. The worst part? It’s preventable.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that U.S. children are 80% more likely to die before their 20th birthday than their peers in other high-income countries. Researchers analyzed 170 health indicators and found a steady decline in child health—fueled, in part, by gun violence.