MEDIA ADVISORY FROM: The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Contact: Bob Bock (NICHD) 301-496-5133 or Toni Delacorte 202-452-9467.
Embargoed for release until July 13, 2000 at noon, EDT.
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Washington, D.C. -- America's children are less likely to die during childhood and are less likely to become teenage mothers, according to a new Federal report called America's Children: Key National indicators of Well-Being 2000. Now in its fourth year, the report is the U.S. government's annual barometer as well as a comprehensive look at the status of America's children.
"From toddlers through teens, there's good news in this report," said Dr. Duane Alexander, Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
The report, which was compiled by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, shows -- among other things -- an increase in the number of children born at low birth weight, a striking decline in childhood death rates, and a birth rate for teenagers at its lowest ever recorded.
The child poverty rate has declined steadily since 1993 and children are more likely to be living with at least one parent who is working full time. Among teens, 55 percent of high school students participated in volunteer activities through 1999 -- a 10 percent increase from 1996.
There are 70.2 million children under the age of 18 living in the U.S., accounting for 26 percent of the population.
The actual report is posted on a secure web site that is accessible to media who agree to respect the embargo: http://156.40.88.8/childstats/ Use the following to get in:
Account/User name: CIPACCESS
Password: CHILDSTATS2000
Interviews can be set up in advance upon request and b-roll is also now available.
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