The state in which a baby is born and lives in their first 3 years can make a difference in
whether they have a strong start in life. But even more critical than the apparent
geographic differences are the disparate experiences among babies of different races,
ethnicities, and income levels, with inequities starting even before birth. Often driven by
systemic racism, these disparities persist even in states where babies overall are doing
better than in other states. A nation that tolerates grave disparities and does not prize
equity cannot be strong in the long term. There are many issues in our nation about which
there is agreement on investing in fundamental public goods that benefit society as a
whole (e.g., public education, food standards, and transportation safety). However, we
have yet to place similar value on a strong national agenda for a foundational prenatal to
3 period and, as a result, support for this period is uneven and inequitable both in national
policy and across states.
Telling the story of babies is thus more important than ever. The data included in the State
of Babies Yearbook: 2022 help policymakers understand the indications that too many
babies face risks that can undermine development and therefore their ability to reach their
potential—in other words, what to pay attention to. The data also can help policymakers
think strategically about progress—the actions that can be taken to create meaningful and
sustainable change for all families with young children.
Each day, more than 10,000 babies are born in America, with many entering a world in
which they and their families face immediate challenges. In the absence of a national
agenda that equitably prioritizes health, development, and basic economic security, there
is tremendous variation across states in how and the extent to which babies and families
are prioritized. Most notably, national and state data on maternal mortality, infant
mortality and other birth outcomes, food insecurity, and material hardship all suggest that
many of our nation’s babies are at risk of being left behind. As this Yearbook will highlight,
we as a nation need to improve our approach to early life policies and prioritize them as
prudent investments that benefit our nation as a whole.
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