US ranks lower than 38 countries in terms of children's wellbeing

I'm surprised the US didn't rank lower
Sarah Laskin
US Ranks lower than 38 countries according when it comes to children’s wellbeing!
The Medical journal the Lancet recently published a list of children’s wellbeing according to country where the US was ranked 38. In addition, there were rankings based on carbon emissions by 2030, and the US was over 100th in that list. 
The article talks about the criteria for how the list was classified and makes a case against how the results aren’t completely accurate. High carbon emissions and child wellfare do not have any correlation, apparently. 
Personally, I think there are many factors that make up “child wellfare”. The United States could easily get their number up if they want to- they have the education, resources, and support. I believe the reason the ranking isn’t higher is because of the nutrition and non-universal healthcare. 

First, nutrition. This especially concerns school lunch programs. Because of the overpopulation of schools, kitchens do not have enough space nor staff to make gourmet meals for every student. But… meals do not have to be equivalent to a 5 star restaurant, they just have to be nutritious. Before Obama’s presidency in 2009 school lunches routinely served french fries as the sole vegetable. While Michelle Obama continues to fight for healthier lunches, they are still less than desirable and in most cases not just unhealthy but even expired. In addition, the junk food in the US is huge, with chips, soda, and candy being easily accessible and cheap. Paired with non-universal healthcare, it’s no wonder the United States didn’t rank higher. In fact, the obesity rates alone and child diabetes, paired with the uprisings of mental health cases, show our healthcare system (or lack of) has consequences. In fact, I’m surprised we didn’t fall lower on the list.


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