Rankings Linked to Race
KIDS COUNT rankings are closely linked to a state's racial composition.
Despite the fact there is enormous variation in state-level child well-being data, little research has been done to explain why. This study compares the social, economic and policy environments of the top-10 states (best child well-being) and the bottom-10 states (worst child well-being) relative to the rest of the states. Using several different methods, this study finds that states ranked among the 10 best or 10 worst with respect to overall child well-being have different demographic, socioeconomic and policy environments than those states ranking in the middle 30.
After adjustments, states with higher levels of health insurance coverage for adults tend to have better child outcomes.