Texas Ranks an Abysmal 44th in Children’s Health and Well-Being

Texas Ranks an Abysmal 44th in Children’s Health and Well-Being:  Texas ranks 44th among the states in overall child health and well-being, according to data released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in its 2012 KIDS COUNT Data Book. The data book examines how children are doing in four key domains—economic well-being, education, health, and family and community.

"Texas accounts for one of every 11 kids in this country," said Frances Deviney, Texas KIDS COUNT director at the Center for Public Policy Priorities. "The choices we make now to improve our kids' lives will drive not only the future of Texas, but the future of our country. Texas needs to prioritize its policy choices by investing in children first since we are producing the next generation of leaders.” You can read the Texas fact sheet from the KIDS COUNT Data Book here:  http://www.cppp.org/files/10/2012KC_state_profile2_TX.pdf.

And yet, our lawmakers continue to drastically cut Texas public education and healthcare funds.  There are other options, but divisive politics and short-sighted planning continue to hurt our children and our future.