Video: Latest “Kids Count” Report Finds Mississippi in Familiar Territory

[PRESS RELEASE]

The 2017 KIDS COUNT Data Book report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation is now available.

Key Highlights:

• According to the report, Mississippi ranked 50^th in overall child well-being.
• Mississippi is at an all-time low, with just 4 percent of children not covered by health insurance in 2015 – a 50 percent drop from 2010.
• The percentage of Mississippi teens abusing drugs or alcohol dropped 17 percent since 2010.
• The percentage of low birthweight babies also declined over the five-year period, falling 6 percent.
• Seventy-four (74) percent of fourth graders scored below proficient in reading in 2015 compared to 78 percent in 2009.
• Seventy-eight (78) percent of eighth graders scored below proficient in math in 2015, compared to 85 percent in 2009.

The upcoming report is one of the most comprehensive analyses of how kids fair in the U.S. Nationally, this year’s report shows that prudent federal and state policies have been effective in helping children and their families thrive. Today, 95 percent of U.S. children now have healthcare coverage, a historic all-time high. Amid possible federal budget cuts to major social services programs, the Casey Foundation is calling on policymakers to support and maintain policies that have proven successful in boosting child and family well-being.

You can access the report, a copy of the State Profile Data and state press release at www.aecf.org/databook