About 17 percent of our children do not have health insurance, versus a national average of 11 percent.
Florida has a higher than average percent of low-birthweight babies, defined as babies weighing less than 5 ½ pounds at birth – 8.7 percent of all births, versus a national average of 8.2 percent. Florida ranks 36th in the nation. Of the five largest states in the U.S., Florida was the lowest. From 2000 to 2005 the percentage went up from 8 percent to 8.7 percent.
Florida’s infant mortality rate is higher than the national average – 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, versus a national average of 6.9. Florida ranks 29th in infant mortality. From 2000 to 2005 the percentage went up from 7 deaths to 7.2 deaths.
Florida’s child death rate -- deaths per 100,000 children ages 1–14 – is higher than average, at 22 deaths per 100,000 versus a national average of 20. Florida ranks 27th in child deaths.
Florida’s teen death rate – deaths per 100,000 children ages 15-19 – is significantly higher than the national average, at 75 deaths per 100,000 versus a national average of 65. Florida ranks 32nd.
Florida ranks 36th in high school dropouts – the dropout rate of 8 percent is higher than the national average of 7 percent. This number improved from 2000 to 2006, dropping from 12 percent.
Florida ranks 36th in the percent of teens not in school and not working – 9 percent versus a national average of 8 percent.
In Florida, 17 percent of children live in poverty – slightly better than the national average of 18 percent.
Florida ranks 40th in the percent of children living in single parent families – 35 percent versus a national average of 32 percent.
Florida locks up far more of our youth. The rate of detained and committed youth in custody -- per 100,000 youth ages 10–15 – in Florida is 165, versus a national average of 125.
Florida’s juvenile violent crime arrest rate -- arrests per 100,000 youth ages 10–17 – is 463 versus a national average of 283.