Room to Grow: New report shows improvement needed for North Carolina's babies, toddlers
A new report that dives into the welfare of North Carolina's youngest citizens finds that they face higher rates of infant mortality, lower birth weights and higher rates of adverse childhood experiences compared to the national average.
Posted — UpdatedA new report that dives into the welfare of North Carolina's youngest citizens finds that they face higher rates of infant mortality, lower birth weights and higher rates of adverse childhood experiences compared to the national average.
But it's not all bad news, according to the report released Tuesday by early childhood development nonprofit ZERO TO THREE and children’s research organization Child Trends. Compared to the national average, fewer infants and toddlers in North Carolina are uninsured and more are receiving the recommended immunizations.
The State of Babies Yearbook: 2019 looks at the well-being of America’s babies across the country. It compiles nearly 60 indicators—specifically for children ages 0 to 3—to measure progress across three policy areas: good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences, according to a news release.
“Each of the 365,273 babies in North Carolina was born with a bundle of unlimited potential and the first three years of their life will shape every year that follows,” said Myra Jones-Taylor, chief policy officer of ZERO TO THREE, in the release. “But far too many babies face persistent hardships—such as food insecurity, unstable housing, and exposure to violence—that undermine their ability to grow and thrive.”
“Our brains are built, not born. Brain development during the first few months and years of life has an enormous impact on how a child learns and grows throughout his or her lifetime,” said Michele Rivest, Policy Director at the NC Early Education Coalition, in the release. “Where a baby is born makes a big difference in their chance for a strong start in life, and it’s up to us to make sure that every county in North Carolina is a place where we prepare babies to grow, learn, and succeed.”
According to the report, North Carolina’s young children fare worse than the national average in these areas:
- The infant mortality rate is 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to a national average of 5.9.
- More than 9 percent of babies are born at a low birth weight, compared to a national average of 8.2 percent.
- More infants and toddlers live in poverty or low-income households.
- Just more than 11 percent of North Carolina's babies experience two or more adverse childhood experiences, compared to the national average of 8.3 percent. According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, adverse childhood experiences are stressful or traumatic events, such as abuse or neglect. Children who experience these kinds of events are more likely to suffer from health problems, such as substance abuse and mental health disorders, throughout their lives.
North Carolina’s young children fare better than the national average in these areas:
- Uninsured infants and toddlers total 4.4 percent in North Carolina, compared to a national average of 5.8 percent.
- Nearly 80 percent of infants and toddlers are receiving recommended immunizations, compared to a national average of 70.7 percent.
- The rate of maltreatment of infants and toddlers is 4.4, compared to a national average of 16.
- The percent of low or moderate-income infants and toddlers in Child Care Development Fund-funded care comes to 5.1 percent, compared to a national average of 4.2 percent.
- The percent of infants and toddlers who received a developmental screening was 47.6 percent, compared to a national average of 30.4 percent.
To better support North Carolina's youngest children, the groups suggest:
- Increasing funding for child care subsidies to allow more families to work and make sure more children receive high-quality early learning experiences.
- Expanding home visiting programs to provide critical support for families during a time when they are most stressed.
- Closing the health insurance coverage gap to help ensure healthy births and on-track development for our kids.
“To do better for our children and our nation’s future, we need North Carolina’s leaders and Congress to make our youngest and most valuable resource a priority by investing in things that work,” said Rivest in the release. "... It’s time to adopt policies built on the science of brain development and support budgets that put babies and families first.”
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