It's About New Mexico KIDS COUNT Facts: A Summary
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It's About Time KIDS COUNT In New Mexico 1997 Data Book The outlook for New Mexico's children and families is rather bleak. There are very few bright spots this year. Although the state's economy has grown, the unemployment rate has risen and the poverty level remains the highest in the nation. At the same time, fewer New Mexicans are receiving public assistance, suggesting that needy families may be falling through the cracks. There are troubling indications that the health of New Mexico's children may be endangered, despite improvements in infant mortality. New Mexico continues to be a violent place for children and youth, although teenagers appear to be at somewhat lower risk for engaging in negative behaviors. Education is the only area in which New Mexico's youth have shown some modest improvement in nearly all indictors. Summary courtesty of Edward M. Gilliand, Ph.D.		Unemployment has increased significantly More New Mexicans are living in poverty Fewer New Mexicans are receiving public assistance One of every four New Mexicans has no health insurance Many New Mexico women are not receiving adequate prenatal care More New Mexico babies are being born with low birth weights Fewer New Mexico children are being properly immunized against disease More of New Mexico's children and teenagers are being injured More of New Mexico's children are dying as a result of violence More of New Mexico's teenagers are also dying as a result of violence More cases of family violence are being uncovered Source: New Mexico Advocates for Children and Families P.O. Box 26666 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87125-6666 (505) 244-9505 Fax: (505) 244-9509 E-mail: kcount@nm.net