An editorial from The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — West Virginia can be a great place to grow up.
The state’s small-town sense of community and family, solid values and outdoor treasures have shaped many a wonderful childhood – but sadly, not for every child. Poverty, unhealthy lifestyles and neglect mean a far more difficult road for too many children in the Mountain State.
But the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which tracks the well-being of children across the nation, has detailed some signs of improvement in its 2016 “Kids Count” rankings.
West Virginia moved up from 43rd in the nation in 2015 to 39th in 2016, helped by an increase in the number of children covered by health insurance, a decline in the rate of babies born to teenage mothers and better high school graduation rates.
Children in the state still lag far behind the nation on many measures…