Black Belt communities are among others in Alabama facing challenges according to the Kids Count Data Book ranking states on child wellbeing. 

AL.com reports that Alabama went from 39th to 43rd this year, becoming the seventh worst state for child wellbeing. 

Among the findings are that graduation rates and dropping, middle school math scores are failing, child poverty is unchanged, housing costs are rising, and fewer children are insured but teen birth rates are falling. 

The Black Belt is said to have some of the worst economic outcomes for children. Sumter County was cited as an example where childhood poverty is 31%. 5% to as much as 16% of communities around Montgomery are experiencing homelessness. 

The infant mortality rate in Perry County rose from 12% in 2021 to 20% in 2022. Perry, Greene and Tuscaloosa counties reportedly have large gaps in prenatal and maternal healthcare.

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