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Medical copays reduce health care access in MS prisons; Israel planted explosives in pagers sold to Hezbollah according to official sources; Serving looks with books: Libraries fight 'fast fashion' by lending clothes; Menhaden decline threatens Virginia's ecosystem, fisheries.

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JD Vance calls for toning down political rhetoric, while calls for his resignation grow because of his own comments. The Secret Service again faces intense criticism, and a right to IVF is again voted down in the US Senate.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Annual Report Finds Arizona Children Increasingly Face Anxiety, Depression

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Monday, August 8, 2022   

Advocacy groups are sounding the alarm about the well-being of Arizona's children.

The 2022 Kids Count Data Book released today ranks Arizona 44th out of 50 states for the health and well-being of its children. The survey highlights some troubling trends in how Arizona children are facing significant mental-health challenges and increasing levels of poverty.

Kelley Murphy, vice president of policy for the Children's Action Alliance, Arizona's Kids Count partner, said while 9% of Arizona children suffer with anxiety and depression, the numbers rapidly increase when applied to the state's marginalized communities.

"There are huge, disproportionate differences between all Black and brown children and white children, and what we see in the data," Murphy reported. "Even on mental health, depression and anxiety ratings for our Native American populations is significantly higher than it is for white children."

The report ranks Arizona 47th for education, with an increase in three- and four-year-old children not in preschool. The study also ranked Arizona 29th in children's health, with a surge in deaths among children and teens, and an increase in low-birth weight babies.

Murphy pointed out the study reinforces the belief high poverty rates are a direct result of policymakers "dis-investing" in Arizona families. She urged lawmakers to boost the state's lagging public education system to lift Arizonans out of poverty.

"One of the key ways for families to get back out of poverty or for individuals to get out of poverty is education," Murphy asserted. "We really want to see the K-12 education system in the state reaching all of those families equally and not leaving some parts of the state behind."

Leslie Boissiere, vice president of external affairs for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, said access to health insurance is one of the best ways to provide children with a high level of health and well-being.

"We know that both the physical and mental health of children is incredibly important," Boissiere contended. "Access to health insurance can provide them with the resources to ensure that they do well both physically and also that they have access to the mental-health resources they need to do well mentally."

The annual Kids Count Data Book is published annually by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, ranking states on the overall well-being of their children. The grades are based on 16 indicators across four major areas: economic well-being, education, health and community, and family.

Disclosure: The Annie E. Casey Foundation contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Education, Juvenile Justice, and Welfare Reform. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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