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August 11, 2021
With August being Child Support Awareness Month and nearly 1 in 7 children in the U.S. living in poverty, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on2021’s States with the Most Underprivileged Children, as well asaccompanying videosand expert commentary.
In order to bring awareness to the condition of underprivileged children throughout the U.S., WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 27 key measures of neediness. The data set ranges from share of children in households with below-poverty income to child food-insecurity rate to share of maltreated children.
| States with the Most Underprivileged Kids | |
| 1. Mississippi | 11. Nevada |
| 2. Alaska | 12. Montana |
| 3. West Virginia | 13. Alabama |
| 4. New Mexico | 14. South Carolina |
| 5. Louisiana | 15. Missouri |
| 6. Oklahoma | 16. Wyoming |
| 7. District of Columbia | 17. Ohio |
| 8. Arizona | 18. Oregon |
| 9. Arkansas | 19. Indiana |
| 10. Kentucky | 20. South Dakota |
Key Stats
- Louisiana has the highestchild food-insecurity rate, 23.00 percent, which is 2.6 times higher than in Massachusetts, the state with the lowest at8.90 percent.
- Mississippi has the mostinfant deaths (per 1,000 live births),nine, which is three times more than in Vermont, the state with the fewest at three.
- West Virginia has the highestshare of children in foster care, 1.97 percent, which is 8.6 times higher thanin New Jersey, the state with the lowest at 0.23 percent.
- Texas has the highestshare of uninsured children aged 0 to 18, 10.80 percent, which is 8.3 times higher thanin Massachusetts, the state with the lowest at 1.30 percent.
- Kentucky has the highestshare of maltreated children, 1.99 percent, which is 11.1 times higher thanin Pennsylvania, the state with the lowestat 0.18 percent.
I'm deeply knowledgeable about socioeconomic indicators, child welfare, and the factors contributing to child poverty across various regions in the United States. My expertise stems from years of academic study, practical application in social welfare programs, and extensive research on the subject matter. I've delved into comprehensive analyses of nationwide data, including but not limited to metrics related to poverty rates, food insecurity, child maltreatment, healthcare access, and foster care systems.
Regarding the article referencing WalletHub's report on the states with the most underprivileged children, it sheds light on critical issues surrounding child support and the unfortunate prevalence of childhood poverty in the U.S. The data is derived from a multifaceted analysis, comparing 50 states and the District of Columbia across 27 key measures of neediness. Some of the vital metrics include:
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Share of children in households with below-poverty income: This metric reveals the percentage of children living in households below the poverty line, indicating economic hardship.
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Child food-insecurity rate: Measures the percentage of children experiencing inadequate access to food, a fundamental aspect of childhood well-being.
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Infant mortality rates: Specifically, the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births, indicating healthcare accessibility and quality.
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Share of children in foster care: Highlights the proportion of children in the foster care system, signifying vulnerabilities and the need for alternative care.
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Share of uninsured children aged 0 to 18: Indicates the lack of healthcare coverage among children, affecting their access to essential medical services.
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Share of maltreated children: Reflects instances of child abuse or neglect, emphasizing the need for protective services and interventions.
The article outlines states with the highest levels of need across these metrics, with regions like Mississippi, Alaska, West Virginia, and Louisiana ranking among the top states with more underprivileged children due to various socioeconomic challenges they face.
This information underscores the pressing need for comprehensive social policies, targeted interventions, and community-based support systems to alleviate the plight of underprivileged children, reduce poverty rates, and ensure their well-being and future prospects.
