Demographics

Why focus on children & adolescents?  Unique population – especially this generation.  The first to understand terrorism as a domestic issue  The first to compete fully in a global economy  The first to experience instantaneous communication with the world  The first to grow up with the majority living a portion of childhood in a single parent household  The first to live their entire lives in the shadow of AIDS

Youth defined according to WHO  Children:  010  Young People:   Adolescence:   Youth:  15 24

National Statistics  “America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well- Being, 2009” Report:  In 2008, 73.9 million children 0-17 y/o  Children equal 24% of the population

Racial and Ethnic Diversity  In 2008,  56% of children were white, non-Hispanic  22% were Hispanic  15% were African-American  4% were Asian  5% were other  Which do you think was the fastest growing group?

Family and Social Environment  In 2008:  67% of children lived with two married parents  19% of children were native with at least one foreign-born parent  In 2007:  21% of school-aged children spoke a language other than English at home  5% spoke a language other than English at home AND had difficulty speaking English

More Family/Social Environment  In 2007:  The birth rate to adolescents (15-17 y/o) rose slightly

Economic Circumstances  In 2007:  18% of all children lived in poverty  77% of children who had at least one parent that worked year round, full time  The number of children living in low food security homes increased

Health Care  In 2007:  89% of children had health insurance coverage  Unfortunately though, 11% of children had NO coverage at any time during the year.  77% of children 2-17 y/o had a dental visit in the last year.

Physical Environment & Safety  In 2007:  66% of children lived in counties with measurable air pollutants  Less children live in homes with second-hand smoke!!  43% of children had housing problems

Behavior  Heavy drinking slightly declined among all grades that were monitored  Cigarette smoking, drug use and sexual behavior remained the same

Education  In 2007:  89% of young adults (18-24 y/o) had completed high school or earned a GED.  67% of those went to college!

Health  Infants born preterm or low birthweight declined slightly  Infant mortality declined  Diets are somewhat improving  17% of children 6-17 are still overweight

General Well-Being  Report: “U.S. Teens in Our World: Understanding the Health of U.S. Youth in Comparison to Youth in Other Countries”

So – what about Oregon?  Report: “Children First for Oregon: Report Card 2008”  Do you think that we are better or worse than the national levels?  Our overall grade:

Child Welfare  Child abuse is still 6.9 children/1,000  7.8% are re-abused within 6 months of prior abuse  16% of foster children do not have stable placement

Early Care and Education  Availability of child care has not improved  62% of eligible children are enrolled in Head Start  84% of 3 rd graders met or exceeded state reading standards  77% of 3 rd graders met or exceeded state math standards

Family Financial Stability  16.9% of children live in poverty  82% of low-income rental households do not have adequate housing  11.9% of Oregonians are at risk of hunger

Health  Infant mortality: 5.9 / 1,000 babies will not survive to their first birthday  12.6% of children under 18 do not have health insurance  26.8% of high school students are overweight or at risk for becoming overweight

Youth Development and Education  High School Dropout rate: 4.2%  14.9 / 1,000 of youth under 18 were arrested  30.9% of 8 th graders drink alcohol  15.9% of 8 th graders use illicit drugs  9.0% of 8 th graders smoke cigarettes

Uninsured

Unemployment Claims

Food Stamp Caseload

Abuse / Neglect

What impacts does this have?  Children raised in poverty are more likely to:  Have limited or no access to health care  Have chronic health problems  Die during childhood  Experience food insecurity and/or hunger  Have learning disabilities  Score lower on standardized tests  Repeat a grade  Drop out of school  Suffer from emotional and/or behavioral problems  Be poor as adults  Source: