TOPEKA — The Kansas Kids Count report just released shows that Kansas has one of the worst records in the U.S. for infant mortality. The report, produced by the Anne E. Casey Foundation, says the state has sunk to 40th on the list of states for infant mortality and is last in infant mortality for African-Americans. Infant mortality is a key index of the overall health of communities and the fact that Kansas’ record is so bad isn’t good, said Christine Applehanz, of Kansas Kids Count. Applehanz said she’s not sure why the state’s rating has sagged, butGov. Sam Brownback has said he makes improving the lot of poor children a major theme of his Roadmap For Kansas, and the report shows state health authorities need to do much more, including more prenatal programs and other public health programs. The report shows that in most categories that track the health and welfare of Kansas children, the state’s rating dropped sharply when compared to other states. Kansas is 19th in the nation in a state-by-state study on the well-being of America’s children, its lowest ranking since 2004, she said. The 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book , shows that the recession has hit Kansas kids hard, leaving nearly one in five children living in poverty. “We have to invest in our kids,” Applehanz said. “We need to be protecting the crucial supports — nutrition, early education, college savings — anything we can do to be sure kids are growing up” healthy. “I think it’s important that children have access to food stamps, quality education such as Head Start and Early Head Start” and workforce development.
Monday, Aug. 22, 3:30 p.m.
