LOUISIANA, USA — A new report from The Annie E. Casey Foundation ranked Louisiana as the second-worst state in the country for child well-being in 2022.
The AECF believes that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the well-being and mental health of children across the country, and Louisiana is no different.
The 2022 Kids Count Data Book ranked all 50 states in four key categories: economic well-being, education, health, and family and community.
Louisiana ranked 49th out of 50 States overall, with New Mexico being the only state with a worse overall rating.
In the four individual categories, Louisiana ranked 50th in economic well-being, 48th in education, 49th in health, and 49th in family and community.
According to the report, 26% of children in Louisana live in poverty.
49% of children ages 3-4 do not attend school, and 74% of fourth-graders are not proficient in reading. Additionally, 37% of youth ages 10-17 in the state are obese.
The Louisiana section of the report can be read here.