Where children thrive, according to measures of general health and overall wellbeing
Going by four markers of health risk, four neighboring U.S. states are the best places to raise children with high chances of living long, healthy lives.
The markers of trouble are low birth weight, lack of health insurance, chronic obesity and pediatric death.
The states excelling at avoiding those risks are, in order from No. 1 to No. 4, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecticut.
Nos. 5 through 10 are Minnesota, Oregon, New Jersey, New York, California and Washington.
The list is from the Annie E. Casy Foundation, which released its annual Kids Count Data Book this week.
“While U.S. children’s health has improved in some ways in recent decades, our country is facing a child health crisis, marked by high rates of chronic disease, mental illness and deaths from firearms, drug overdoses and suicides,” the authors write.
More:
‘Setting kids on a path toward optimal health from the start—which can improve their educational attainment and their ability to become healthy, self-sufficient adults—has clear implications for the nation’s future workforce and economy.’
Overall wellbeing overlaps with healthy living
Along with health, the report looks at where to live to maximize children’s economic wellbeing, primary education and community support.
It also covers overall wellbeing. New Hampshire notches the best metric on that score to go with its high marks for child health.
Showing the close association between good health and general wellbeing, several states are in the top 10 for both those lists: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Minnesota, New Jersey and Connecticut.
“While national data are important for tracking major trends in U.S. children’s well-being, state data tell us how conditions vary for kids across the country,” the authors explain.
“Drilling down to the state level sheds light on the geographic areas where children, youth and families face heightened challenges and where additional attention is warranted.”
Download the full report here.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.