Well-Being of Georgia Children Among Worst in Nation

A national study says the health and well-being of Georgia's children is among the worst in the nation.

The 2009 Kids Count Data Book ranks Georgia 42 out of 50 states, dropping the state two spots from last year's report. The report ranked Georgia 46th in high school drop outs and 44th in low-birthweight babies.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation has been doing this study for 20 years, and Georgia has ranked in the bottom tier every year since 1990. The organization says Georgia's children fare worse than most of the country while in a strong economy and even worse during economic downturns.

Summer camp at the West Broad Street YMCA is one of the few options for low-income families while school is out.

"It's a very difficult time to be a parent and be working. Most of our parents work two jobs if not more, and you've got kids at home. We need to be that support," said executive director Peter Doliber.

Doliber says while Savannah has programs to help families and children, it's just not enough. "I think that's where we're making a mistake as a state and not recognizing that we need to be putting the funding towards the programs for children if for not other reason it will save us more money later," he said.

Taking care of children starts even before they're born. Dr. Diane Z. Weems, chief medical officer for the Chatham County Health Department, says Savannah ranks low in some key areas.

"Both our infant mortality rate and our low birthweight rates are higher than Georgia's rates. Not only are they higher, but we have a significant disparity, with African-Americans in both of those categories having over twice the infant mortality, twice the low birthweight rates than whites," said Weems.

The health department and other groups are working against difficult conditions. "How healthy is our environment? How healthy are our women of child-bearing age when they get pregnant?" said Weems.

These leaders say Georgia should be doubling its efforts to fight these issues for our children.

"The teenage pregnancy rate is not acceptable. The amount of kids dropping out isn't acceptable. Incarcerations of young people is not acceptable," said Doliber.

In comparison, South Carolina ranks 45th out of 50 in the 2009 Kids Count Data Book. The study says South Carolina is 47th in the nation for low-birthweight babies, and that rate is increasing. South Carolina is also 43rd in high school dropouts.