TN's rankings on Kids Count report

Report: state still ranked high in infant mortality rate
Kids Count report , WATE.com, June 26, 2007.

KNOXVILLE - Once again, Tennessee ranks near the bottom of the list when it comes to a national report on the health and well-being of children and teenagers.

Overall, Tennessee ranks 46th for 2006 in the annual Kids Count report. That's also where the state was ranked in 2005.

The Kids Count report also ranked Tennessee 47th in the category of infant mortality.

However, there are some improvements when you break down the numbers in Knox County.

Knox is currently ranked fourth worst in the state for infant mortality, with 23 cases. But that's a decrease from 2005, when there were 39 cases of infant mortality, ranking Knox County third worst.

The number of teen violent deaths has also decreased in Knox County. In 2006, there were 11 deaths compared to 2005, when there were 14.

And in proven child abuse and neglect cases, Knox County came in third worst with 516 cases, according to the children's services. That's another decrease. In 2005, there were 640 cases of abuse and neglect.

The report by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth outlines strategies to improve those rankings.

One plan is to provide more pre-pregnancy health programs that make sure women have a proper diet and avoid smoking, using drugs or alcohol.

Lawmakers this year approved $390,000 for a pilot program that will provide in-home visiting nurse services to low-income, first-time mothers during pregnancy and through the child's second birthday.

The program will be based in Shelby County.