INDIANAPOLIS - The 2016 national Kids Count Data Book is out and it shows the health outcomes for Indiana children are improving.
This year Indiana ranks 31st for children’s health, a four place increase from 2015. Indiana Youth Institute President and CEO Tammi Silverman says the state is making strides in all four health outcomes measured by the report. She says the increase in health insurance is an especially bright spot.
Tammi1 We now have 93 percent of our children with health insurance and it takes a little while to get the awareness and how to sign up but we’re seeing the results of some of those awareness issues paying off now.
The data also indicates a lower child death rate, a lower percentage of low birth weight babies and a 38 percent drop in teens who report using drugs and alcohol.
On the down, side it reports that more Hoosier children are living in poverty, a 22 percent increase from 2008.
The Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation compiles national information going back to 2008 and differs from the state book that was out earlier this year, which uses county level data.
ADDITIONAL CUTS
Tammi Silverman president and CEO of the Indiana Youth Institute says the data shows a 39 percent drop in teens who report using drugs and alcohol and says this success starts at home.
Tammi2 Talking about drugs and alcohol with your teens is not a one-time conversation. It is an ongoing conversation that needs to happen repeatedly so that kids understand what the family expectations are as well as the consequences
Silverman says Indiana is still in the middle of the pack and has a lot of work to do.
Tammi3 There’s an ongoing challenge ahead of us, but it’s nice to see we are making progress. So, hopefully, we can continue to build on that progress and keep the momentum moving forward
