Healthy childhoods are the foundation of healthy societies and a critical determinant of long-term well-being and economic growth. Over the past three decades, child mortality has declined1, but progress has not been shared evenly; in 2025, the number of deaths under five was projected to rise for the first time this century2. Meanwhile, the burden of disease is rising, particularly from noncommunicable diseases, creating new and persistent challenges for children, young people, and their caregivers.
The risks young people face vary by context. In many settings, undernutrition, disease, and barriers to essential services remain urgent. At the same time, obesity3, mental health conditions, and reported loneliness and social disconnection4 are imposing a growing burden. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach to health. Early life is a critical window for brain development, providing the foundation for all future learning, behavior and health. Further, early experiences compound across a lifetime, materially influencing economic mobility, health outcomes, social connectedness, and civic engagement. Child and youth health remains underinvested relative to its long-term impact, which accrues over decades and across generations.
The McKinsey Health Institute (MHI) believes that investing in child and youth health is essential to building healthier societies. We work with a global ecosystem to catalyze change by generating actionable insights, convening partners across sectors and geographies, and advancing scalable solutions alongside organizations, governments, and global institutions.
