Report: New Mexico’s second worst state for child well-being

A new report says quality of life is low for children in New Mexico.

The 2017 New Mexico Kids Count Data Book found more children are living in poverty, are without health insurance and living in single-parent household than a year ago.

The report from the New Mexico Voices for Children ranked New Mexico as the second worst state in child well-being.

According to the report, 29 percent of New Mexico children live in poverty.

However, the report showed that there was slight improvement in the number of children in early childhood education and graduation rates. The teen births and the number of teens and adolescents abusing drugs and alcohol have decreased.

The group unveiled the report’s findings Tuesday just as the Legislature convened for its 30-day session.