NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Kids in Tennessee rank as the healthiest in the South, according to the 2010 Kids Count Data Book, which was released Wednesday.
Tennessee also ranks 16th in the nation when it comes to children's health.
The "Annie E. Casey Foundation" study showed that fewer teens are abusing alcohol and drugs; fewer kids are living without health insurance; and fewer babies are being born at a low birth weight.
However, the report also found Tennessee ranked 36th in the nation when it comes to the overall well-being of children.
The study found economic hardship is still rising, with one in four children now living in poverty. The state also ranked in the bottom 10 states when it comes to education. Seventy four percent of fourth graders cannot read proficiently.
Last year, Tennessee was in 39th place. The report also found only five-percent are living without health insurance in our state.
