The latest Kentucky Kids Count survey shows Russell County saw improvement in multiple health-related categories.
Russell County saw a significant improvement in the number of mothers smoking during pregnancy. From 2016-2018, it was reported that nearly 29 percent of mothers reported smoking while pregnant. From 2021-2023, that number dropped to 12.4 percent.
Russell County also saw a significant decrease in the number of teen births. From 2016-2018, Russell County’s teen birth rate was 47.7 per 1,000 females ages 15-19. From 2021-2023, that rate dropped to 31.3 per 1,000.
The number of low-birthweight babies weighing less than 5.5 pounds decreased from 9 percent to 8.1 percent during those time periods.
The number of children with health insurance also increased from 95 percent in 2018 to 96 percent in 2023.
Stay tuned to WJRS News as we’ll bring you more data from the Kentucky Kids Count Survey.
