South ranks low for child well-being

An article in today's Tennessean brings to light the latest "Kids Count" Report (full report here) that shows a discrepancy in the well-being of children in the South versus the rest of the country. While the article focuses on Tennessee's unenviable ranking of the highest rate of teenage deaths, the most telling information comes from the broad overall rankings:

"The top-ranked states include New Hampshire, Vermont and Minnesota, and the bottom-ranked are Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Each state is evaluated in 10 areas and then compared with national averages as well as other states.

Tennessee's best ranking, 28th, is on the percentage of children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment. It ranked 40 or below in four areas and had its worst ranking, 48th, in the state's infant mortality rate."

These are issues that should be at the front of every Southern progressive's agenda. Truly, what is a more "pro-life" agenda than reducing poverty, infant mortality and unemployment?