The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2009 National Kids Count Data Book has been released.
Quotes from Indiana Youth Institute President and CEO Bill Stanczykiewicz regarding the 2009 Kids Count Data Book 
- "...says the National Data book still lists the infant mortality rate as being one of Indiana's weakest issues."
- "...says Indiana has had a problem with high infant mortality rates for years."
- "...says the Hispanic community is one low-income socio-economic group that has very low infant mortality rates."
Thank you to WIBC radio for its assistance in making these soundbites available for use.
On the data book overall:
(download a word version)
"The data book provides a snapshot of child well-being in Indiana and looks at similar measures across the country so that we can see how Indiana compares to the other states. I think it's less important to compare our ranking as it is to take a good hard look at ourselves and ask, 'are we doing enough to ensure the healthy development of children in Indiana.' In that context, the book provides a starting point for discussions among state and local leaders in government, education, social services, health care and youth development to develop policies and programs that benefit our children."
"It is good to see Indiana moving up three spots in the national rankings, but I think we need to temper that with the reality that in half of the ten indicators listed, Indiana has gotten worse over the course of seven or eight years, and even in areas where the state has improved, Indiana is doing worse than the nation as a whole. That says there is much work to be done on behalf of Hoosier children."
"Data are an important in helping to improve the lives of children. Data can help policymakers determine the areas of greatest need and how the state or local communities might be able to address those issues. Data also can help a youth-serving agency make a more compelling case when seeking funding for its programs. Data help tell the story of how our children are faring, but we all need to keep in mind that behind every piece of data, are hundreds and thousands of real children whose lives cannot simply be viewed as a data point or stat. Their futures as healthy productive citizens depend on us looking beyond the numbers and seeing how we can help individuals reach their fullest potential."
Infant Mortality Rate:
"The most recent report on infant mortality from the Centers for Disease shows that (55 percent) of all infant deaths in the United States in 2004 occurred to the 2 percent of infants born at less than 32 weeks of gestation. The three leading causes of infant death—congenital malformations, low birthweight, and SIDS—taken together accounted for 45 percent all infant deaths."
"According to the CDC, birthweight and period of gestation are the two most important predictors of an infant’s subsequent health and survival. That same CDC report showed that Infants born too small and/or too soon have a much greater risk of death and both short-term and long-term disability than those born at term (37–41 weeks of gestation) or weighing 2,500 grams or more."
Child and Teen Death Rates:
"In these two categories, the data book shows the state has improved from 2000 to 2006. However, after several years of decline, the trend is moving upward and these rates are almost back to their 2000 levels."
"Unintentional injuries or accidents are consistently the number one killer of teens. The second and third leading reasons for teen deaths are homicide and suicide, respectively, though in three of the seven years surveyed, suicide outranked homicide, the last time being in 2004."
Percent of teens who are high school dropouts:
"This is a statistic that has to be viewed with extreme caution. During the time period referenced in the book, 2000 to 2007, the state used two different formulas to calculate the dropout rate, so the data book does not compare apples to apples. We will need at least another year or two using the current drop out formula to properly determine what trends, if any, are occurring in this important statistic."
“And this is a vitally important statistic. Job success in the 21st Century requires education beyond high school. Therefore, failing to complete high school virtually ensures future failure in the job market.”
Teen Birth Rate:
"After years of decline, Indiana's teen birth rate ticked up slightly in 2004, dropped in 2005, and rose again in 2006. Indiana has eclipsed the national rate for teen births, and this certainly bears watching. We hope teenagers get the message, supported by research, that delaying becoming a parent until they have graduated from college and gotten married gives them and their children more opportunity to flourish academically and financially."
Child poverty and children living in homes where no parent has full-time, year-round employment:
"Like the teen birth rate, these are two categories that bear close scrutiny in the years ahead. These statistics are from 2007 and show the early effects of the recession. What we have witnessed with plant closings, layoffs, foreclosures and bankruptcies in Indiana since the end of 2007 suggests that we will see increases in these percentages, meaning more children will find themselves in situations that could compromise their ability to reach their full potential."
"We can still give children hope for a bright future. Caring adults can step forward to mentor kids who need an additional positive influence in their lives. Mentoring helps children with academic challenges and behavior issues in the short term, and, importantly, for the rest of their lives."
Please contact Glenn Augustine, vice president—communications, at 800-343-7060, ext. 2734, 317-396-2734 or gaugustine@iyi.org if you have any additional questions.)
Links of interest:
Annie E. Casey Foundation
2009 National Kids Count Data Book: download or order
