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2010 Right Start in Michigan
New Report Finds Large, Persistent Disparities at Birth Based on Race and Economic Status

Released Oct. 12, 2010

Nearly half of Michigan's babies are born to mothers in cities or communities larger than 25,000. And many of those children start life without equal opportunities to thrive, arrive at school ready to learn or go on to become part of a highly educated workforce, according to "Right Start in Michigan 2010 - The Other Half."

Some disturbing findings from the report from the Kids Count in Michigan Project:
  • 1 in 10 babies in Michigan is born to a teen mom
  • Nearly 1 in 5 MI teen births is to a teen who already has a child
  • 1 in 10 MI babies is born too early
  • 8.5% of MI babies are born too small

  • Neary 1 in 5 MI moms smoked while pregnant

Michigan's Children, a partner in the Kids Count project, released a statement in response to the report, calling for leaders to prioritize the early years to better equip our children to become highly skilled and educated workers Michigan needs.

Read the statement: Right Start Report Proves Need To Prioritize Early Years

Read the report