Annie E. Casey Foundation Report Highlights Regional Disparities in Child Well-Being Across U.S.
A recent report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation reveals significant regional disparities in child well-being across the United States. The KIDS COUNT Data Book assessed states on various indicators, including economic well-being, education, health, and family circumstances. The report found that New Hampshire ranks as the best state for child well-being in 2026, while Mississippi ranks last. Southern states like South Carolina, Louisiana, and Kentucky showed improvements, whereas Northeastern and Midwestern states, including Maine and Nebraska, experienced declines. The report highlights that nearly three in five states are performing worse than before the COVID-19 pandemic, with education being the area of broadest decline.