Arkansas’ overall ranking improved from 41st to 40th in the latest annual Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT Data Book. Its economic well-being ranking improved from 44th to 36th, but its health ranking fell from 30th to 37th after it experienced its first decline in children covered by health insurance since 2010.

First published in 1990, the study ranks states across 16 indicators, four each in four domains: economic well-being, health, education, and family and community. This year’s study reflects 2017 statistics. The Foundation’s state partner is Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families.

Arkansas was 40th overall, just ahead of Texas at 41st and Oklahoma at 42nd. The top three states in order were New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Iowa. The bottom three were Mississippi at 48th followed by Louisiana and New Mexico. Among Arkansas’ other neighbors, Missouri was 28th and Tennessee was 36th.      MORE