The Well-Being of Children and Youth

by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman

Data from a new report from the Foundation for Child Development show that the quality of life for kids has been on the decline since 2002. What's happened with state budgets and the recession has certainly affected kids' well being.

The predictors are not good. With obesity on the rise, it's likely to spike as parents rely on more low cost fast food. Children living in food-insecure households will climb from 16.9% in 2007 to 17.7% this year, an increase of 750,000 kids.

Median income for families is expected to decline to $ 57,760 in 2010. For single female-headed households, that number will be $24, 200 and it's anticipated that 2 out of 5 households will feel cost burdens associated with housing by 2011. Based on government data, there may be as many as 500,000 homeless children.

The positive news is that 90% of children have health insurance; but all kids must be covered. What can we do? Get in touch with your legislators to make sure that the prospects for kids improve. It's in our long-term best interest.