The latest report on child well-being by the non-partisan Annie E. Casey Foundation ranks Ohio 27th in the nation overall, down from 25th last year, but notes racial and ethnic disparities persist.
The organization's 2019 Kids Count Data Book says child poverty in Ohio remains above the national average. The report shows nearly 500 thousand Ohio children are in poverty, and the state surpassed the national averages for low-weight births and child death. Tracy Najera with the Children's Defense Fund of Ohio says twice as many African American, Native- American and Latino children live in low-income households than do whites.
Najara says three times more Latino children and almost two times more black children in Ohio have parents who lack a high school degree compared to those of whites. She says state lawmakers are doing more to increase access to high quality affordable child care, but additional measures are needed.
The report ransk Ohio 23rd in economic well-being, 16th in education, and 29th in healthcare.
