Mortality and Causes of Death in Primary and Secondary School Students — China, 2018
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? There were approximately 1.23 million deaths reported among individuals aged 5–19 years worldwide in 2017. Limited attention has been paid to current mortality among primary and secondary school students aged 6–18 years in China. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT? In 2018, an estimated 28,519 deaths occurred among primary and secondary school students aged 6–18 years in China with an age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of 17.66 per 100,000. Substantial disparities existed among sexes, age groups, areas, and regions for different causes of death. Drowning, road traffic injuries, and leukemia were three leading causes of death. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE? Government support, legislation enforcement, multisectoral cooperation, and stakeholder engagement should be initiated to reduce premature deaths among primary and secondary school students in China, especially those due to injuries.
