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Report Ranks Mass. 3rd In Child Well-Being

Massachusetts continues to rank high on child well-being compared with other states despite increases in child poverty.

The state ranked third in child well-being in state-by-state rankings in the annual Kids Count report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation that compares social and economic factors.

Despite the high rank, the number of children living in poverty increased from 12 percent to 13 percent of the state's 1.43 million children. The national average is 20 percent.

Advocates say focusing on policies supporting low income and middle class families will help keep them from poverty.

Massachusetts ranked in the top 20 in all categories and had the lowest rate of teen births in the country.

New Hampshire ranked first overall and Minnesota ranked second. Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas and New Mexico ranked lowest.

This program aired on August 17, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

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