California Ranks 19th in KidsCOUNT Data Book

The 2010 KidsCOUNT Data Book was released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Using 10 key child health indicators, the Data Book ranks states according to how they’ve fared in those measures since 2000 — and also provides national comparisons.

This year, California ranks 19th — a slight improvement over the rank of 20 in the 2009 Data Book. Since 2000, our state has improved in nearly every area featured: infant mortality, child and teen death rates, teen birth rates, and others.

Some areas have seen significant improvements — such as a 40% decrease in the teen birth rate from 2000-2008; and a 20% decrease in the death rate for children ages 0-14.

However, there are two areas that do not show improvement — low birthweights and single-parent families. According to KidsCOUNT, nearly 7% of babies in California were born at a low birthweight — an increase since 2000, but lower than the national average of 8.2%. In 2008, 32% of California children lived in single-parent families, which is an increase of 7% since 2000, but in line with the national average. (According to kidsdata.org, family structure can be an important factor in a child’s physical health and mental health, educational attainment, and poverty status. Studies have shown that single-parent families are more likely than two-parent families to have lower incomes.)

Overall, children’s health in California is improving, according to the 2010 KidsCOUNT Data Book. Our Foundation’s Index of Child and Youth Well-Being also found that child well being improved from 1995 to 2006, but notes that the recent economic downturn threatens those gains.

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Posted by Felicity Simmons

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