South Carolina Kids Count
COLUMBIA - The national 2002 KIDS COUNT Data Book, a state-by-state study of children's well-being issued by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, reveals that South Carolina ranks 45th in 2002, down from a rank of 42nd in 2001.
The report shows a mixed description of South Carolina children. Listed below are the indicators and their 1999 rank compared with the US average.
Better:
| Indicator | Rank |
|---|---|
| Idle teens | 24 |
| Families with steady jobs | 18 |
| Single- parent families with children | 25 |
Worse:
| Indicator | Rank |
|---|---|
| Infant mortality | 50 |
| Child deaths | 42 |
| Teen deaths by accident, homicide, & suicide (15-19) | 36 |
| Low-birthweight babies | 48 |
| Teen birth rate (15-17) | 42 |
| High school dropouts (16-19) | 35 |
| Children living in poverty | 36 |
The return of South Carolina's ranking from 42nd back to 45th place just ahead of Alabama, Arkansas, and New Mexico can be attributed to the distressing increase in deaths of infants, children and teens. The most dramatic was the escalation in infant mortality. For every 1,000 babies born in South Carolina, 10 died in their first year of life, thereby ranking South Carolina 50th in the nation on this measure. The national infant morality rate is 7 deaths per 1,000. If the deaths of infants, children and teens had not increased, South Carolina would have maintained its overall ranking of 42nd.
Baron Holmes, Director of South Carolina Kids Count said, "Prevention of these children's deaths is practical. And it is a moral obligation for South Carolinians to follow responsible behaviors and use practical preventive practices to protect our children."
In 1999, 236 caucasians and 328 non-caucasians died before their first birthday. The rate for Caucasians is 6.8 per 1,000 births and 16.4 per 1,000 births for non-caucasians.
LuAnn Miles, Director, Division of Perinatal Systems, SC DHEC said, "In South Carolina, too many babies are needlessly dying and these deaths are painfully high in the African American community."
Over the next year, DHEC will be focusing efforts through "SC BIBS," an initiative targeting the African-American community which bears a disproportionate number of these losses.
Terecia Wilson, Director of the Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Office said, "The majority of auto crashes killing children and youth were preventable. Such tragedies could be prevented for children through the proper use of seat belts and child restraint devices and by cyclists wearing helmets; for teens, by obeying the posted speed limits and obeying the minimum 21 age drinking law."
In 1999, children aged 19 and under represented 17% of the total traffic fatalities reported in the state. During the same year, one of every 7 male drivers was involved in a reportable crash doubled that of the general driving population which involved one of every 14 licensed drivers. For teens, the leading cause of fatal crashes was speed. The second leading cause of fatal crashes was driving under the influence.
Percent low birthweight babies
Rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide, and suicide (National data)
Rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide, and suicide (South Carolina data)
Percent of teens who are high school dropouts
Percent of teens not attending school and not working
Percent of children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Percent of children in poverty
Percent of families with children headed by a single parent
The national 2002 Kids Count Data Book for all indicators of child well-being, with background information for each state, including demographic, economic and health data, and the essay Balancing the Equation can be viewed online at the Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count web site.
For information on Kids Count indicators:
Baron Holmes, Ph.D.
(803)734-2291