Wyoming Ranks 23rd in Children’s Well-Being, Dropping Five Spots
Wyoming has slipped five positions to rank 23rd in the 2025 Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, despite improvements in certain health indicators. Notably, the rate of uninsured children decreased from 11% in 2019 to 7% in 2023, still above the national average of 5%. Micah Richardson from the Wyoming Women’s Foundation emphasized that the lack of Medicaid expansion contributes to higher uninsured rates and expressed concern that without such reforms, challenges will persist.
Child and teen mortality rates improved slightly, going from 36 per 100,000 in 2019 to 34 in 2023, still trailing the national rate of 29. This progress may reflect the effectiveness of state investments in suicide prevention. However, the report highlighted economic challenges, revealing that nearly one in three children in the U.S. live in poverty, with Wyoming’s housing cost burden rising to 21% from 17% in 2019.
Advocates are calling for more policy changes to enhance children’s health and educational outcomes. As families face rising living costs, the need for comprehensive support measures is crucial. Leslie Boissiere of the Annie E. Casey Foundation underscored the importance of addressing national poverty and inequality issues to ensure a brighter future for all children. The report serves as a clarion call for policymakers to bolster children’s welfare as a means of investing in the nation’s economic future.
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