Chartbook of Major Indicators: Conditions Placing Children in the South at Risk.

Noting that the southern region of the United States is challenged by some of the most difficult and entrenched economic, health, and social problems that place children at risk, this chartbook presents information on indicators of the current status of children and families in the South and contrasts conditions in the South with those in other regions. The chartbook is intended to build knowledge and stimulate dialogue among public and private leaders on actions needed to support low-income children and families. Indicator charts are organized in four sections: (1) economic factors (median household income, poverty rate, child poverty rate, families receiving TANF, and participation in food stamp program); (2) health (uninsured children, infant mortality, low birthweight infants, percent of mothers with late or no prenatal care, teen birth rates, teen pregnancy rates); (3) child care (percent of eligible children served by state/federal child care subsidies); and (4) education (high school dropout, percent of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college, and percent of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher). Each chart presents state- or region-wide data and has an accompanying narrative comparing the southern region with other regions and the national average. These indicator charts show that the median household income in the South was approximately $3,700 less than the U.S. median income. Twelve southern states and the District of Columbia had poverty rates higher than the U.S. rate. Forty-one percent of uninsured children in the U.S. live in the south. Forty-two percent of all infant deaths in 1999 were in the south. The southern states served only 15 percent of children eligible for the state/federal child care subsidy system. Twelve southern states and the District of Columbia had dropout rates above the U.S. median. The chartbook's appendix contains 15 supporting data tables. (KB)