A recent report has indicated that West Virginia’s children rank 44th nationally in overall well-being. However, the state has made significant improvements, particularly in the health category, where it now ranks 35th. This improvement is reflected in the latest data from the Kids Count Data Book, an annual report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation that examines how children are faring in the United States post-pandemic.
According to the most recent data from 2022, there have been positive changes in various areas such as the number of children covered by health insurance, obesity rates, and the number of deaths among children and teens. Additionally, there has been a decrease in uninsured children. However, there has also been an increase in low birth-weight babies. Other factors contributing to the overall ranking include economic development, education, family, and community.
Emily Rice is an Appalachia Health News Reporter based in Charleston who has been with West Virginia Public Broadcasting since December 2022. She has experience in various journalistic roles since graduating from Marshall University in 2016 and has a background in reporting, photography, videography, and managing editor positions for newsprint and magazines. Prior to joining WVPB, she worked in editorial roles for publications such as the Bluefield Daily Telegraph and West Virginia Executive Magazine.
