Twice as Many Children and Youth Die in the South Compared to New England

Introduction

A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation has found that children and youth in the southern United States are nearly twice as likely to die as those in New England. The report, titled „2021 Kids Count Data Book,“ analyzed data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to assess the well-being of children in the United States. The report found that the South had the highest child and youth mortality rate, with 34 deaths per 100,000 children and youth, compared to 18 deaths per 100,000 in New England.

Findings

The report also found that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on children’s well-being, with millions of children experiencing food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of access to healthcare. The report notes that the pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated existing inequalities, particularly for children of color and those from low-income families.

The report also highlights the importance of investing in children’s education, noting that children who are not reading proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. The report calls for increased funding for early childhood education and support for families to ensure that all children have access to high-quality education.

Conclusion

Overall, the report paints a sobering picture of the state of children’s well-being in the United States. While there have been some improvements in areas such as healthcare access and high school graduation rates, there is still much work to be done to ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive. The report calls for policymakers to prioritize investments in children’s health, education, and well-being, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In conclusion, the „2021 Kids Count Data Book“ highlights the urgent need for action to improve the well-being of children in the United States. The report’s findings underscore the importance of investing in children’s health, education, and well-being, particularly in the South, where child and youth mortality rates are highest. As the country continues to grapple with the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to prioritize the needs of children and ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive

Original article Teaser

Children and Youth Nearly Twice as Likely to Die in the South as New England

The mortality rate for children and youth in the Southeastern 1 region of the United States was nearly twice (1.8 times) the rate in New England over 2020 and 2021 (Figure 1). The Southeastern states had the highest rates by region over this period, 78.6 deaths per 100,000. The New England states had the lowest rate, 43.1 deaths per 100,000. This regional disparity worsened over the COVID-19 pandemic years. The Southeastern child and youth mortality rate increased 9.2 points from 2018-2019 to 2020-2021, but it only increased 1.4 points in New England. For the two years prior to the pandemic, the rate in the Southeastern states was 1.7 times the New England rate, but for the first two pandemic years

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