According to multiple sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Vital Statistics System, accidents (unintentional injuries) are the leading cause of death among children and teens in the United States. However, a KFF analysis found that firearms are now the number one cause of death for children in the United States, but rank no higher than fifth in 11 other large and wealthy countries. Firearms accounted for nearly 19% of childhood deaths (ages 1-18) in 2021, according to the CDC Wonder database. In 2020 and 2021, firearms were involved in the deaths of more children ages 1-17 than any other type of injury or illness, surpassing deaths due to motor vehicles, which had long been the number one factor in child deaths.