South: A tough place for kids

Sep 7, 2011

The 2011 Kids Count survey of data across states released in August showed an all too-familiar picture:  that the American South is the toughest region in the country for children to grow up in.

The annual study, funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, aggregates hundreds of statistical indicators into an index of an overall ranking of states for the well-being of children.  The picture is grim for Southern states, which had seven of the 10 bottom ranks in the country:

The results (with 1 being the best place for children’s well-being):

50:  Mississippi
49:  Louisiana
48:  Alabama
47:  Arkansas
45:  South Carolina
42:  Georgia
41: Kentucky
39:  Tennessee
38:  North Carolina
36:  Florida
14:  Virginia

According to a news release, conditions have improved for children in five areas:  Infant mortality rate, child death rate, teen death rate, teen birth rate, and the percent of teens not in school and not high school graduates.  Meanwhile, three areas have worsened: the percent of babies born low-birthweight, the child poverty rate, and the percent of children living in single-parent families.

“The research and data tell us that children who grow up in low-income families are less likely to successfully navigate life’s challenges and achieve future success,” said Patrick T. McCarthy, president and CEO of the Casey Foundation. “To decrease the numbers of children who are at risk for bad outcomes as a consequence of economic hardship, we must invest in strategies that can help children reach their full potential. In the wake of the recession, the Casey Foundation urges policymakers to focus on ensuring the next generation of children is healthy, educated, and prepared to compete in a global economy.”