These states have the most underprivileged children, study finds

A new WalletHub study highlights the disparities children face across the United States, ranking the states where underprivileged children experience the greatest hardships based on a range of economic, educational and health-related factors.

By the numbers:

According to the report, 1 in 7 children in the U.S. lives in poverty. Citing the Children's Defense Fund, WalletHub also notes that a child is abused or neglected every 54 seconds. Beyond the immediate impact on children and families, one year's worth of confirmed child maltreatment cases is estimated to result in $592 billion in lifetime economic costs.

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What they're saying:

"Tackling the problem of underprivileged children in America requires a multifaceted approach," said Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst. "On top of lifting children out of poverty and making sure they have access to adequate nutrition and medical care, we also need to look after their mental health, protect them from abuse and ensure they receive quality education. Failing to address even one of these issues can lead to worse outcomes during adulthood."

Methodology:

To identify where children face the greatest disadvantages, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across three broad categories: socioeconomic well-being, health and education.

The analysis measured 25 indicators, with each metric scored on a 100-point scale in which higher scores reflected worse conditions for children. Unless otherwise noted, the data covers children ages 0 to 17.

WalletHub then calculated a weighted average for each state and the District of Columbia based on all 25 metrics to produce an overall score and final rankings.

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States with the most underprivileged children

Dig deeper:

Mississippi

Mississippi ranks as the state with the most underprivileged children, with 26% living below the poverty line—the highest share in the nation. The state also has the highest percentage of low-income households with no working adults and the third-highest share of parents lacking secure employment.

Children also face significant health and family challenges. Mississippi has the nation's highest infant mortality rate, the third-highest child death rate, the fourth-highest child food insecurity rate and the second-highest share of children living with grandparents without parents present. The state also has the ninth-lowest public high school graduation rate.

West Virginia

West Virginia ranks second for underprivileged children, with nearly 22% living below the poverty line. The state has the highest share of low-income households without a working adult and the sixth-highest share of parents lacking secure employment.

The state also has the nation's highest rates of children in foster care and children living only with grandparents. West Virginia ranks fourth in child maltreatment and has the highest percentage of high school students reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, along with the fourth-highest share of teens who are neither in school nor working.

Louisiana

Louisiana ranks third for underprivileged children, with more than 25% living below the poverty line—the second-highest rate nationwide. The state also has the highest share of low-income households without a working adult and the third-highest share of parents lacking secure employment.

Children in Louisiana also face serious health and education challenges. The state has the fourth-highest infant and child death rates, the second-highest child food insecurity rate, the sixth-highest share of children living with grandparents without parents present and the eighth-lowest school system quality.

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