Contact:
Lori Wright
603-862-4650
lori.wright@unh.edu
Aug.
17, 2007
MEDIA
ADVISORY
Carsey Institute To Release New Rural Child Poverty Research
DURHAM,
N.H. – The Carsey Institute at the
University of New Hampshire will release new data on child poverty in rural America Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. The research will coincide with the release of new information from the U.S. Census on child poverty rates nationally.
The
Carsey Institute’s research will provide rural child poverty figures
nationally and provide a state-by-state breakdown of changes in rural
child poverty rates.
In
addition, William P. O’Hare, Carsey Institute Rural Fellow, and Sarah
Savage, Carsey Institute Evaluation Fellow, will be available to discuss
the new research on child poverty in rural
America.
Reporters
who would like to receive the Carsey Institute’s analysis of rural
child poverty rates on Aug. 28 and/or would like to speak with Carsey
rural child poverty experts that day to discuss the analysis should
contact Lori Wright in advance at 603-862-4650 or lori.wright@unh.edu.
In
2006, the Carsey Institute’s analysis of rural child poverty data showed
that rates of rural child poverty had increased in 41 states since
2000. The 2006 analysis is available at http://carseyinstitute.unh.edu/documents/rural_child_poverty_fact_sheet.pdf.
“Our
research has shown that children growing up in rural
America are more at risk of living in poverty than children in urban areas. Rural families
are struggling with sweeping demographic, economic and environmental
changes in their communities. But because rural America is not homogeneous, solutions for alleviating child poverty in rural communities
must address the specific challenges in each area,” said Cynthia M.
Duncan, director of the Carsey Institute.
“Today
there are three rural
Americas, sometimes distinct and sometimes overlapping, each with its own challenges:
amenity-rich areas, declining resource-dependent areas and chronically
poor communities. These conditions influence how communities address
the issues they face amid a changing rural landscape,” Duncan said.
The
child poverty rate is the most widely used indicator of child well-being
because poverty is closely linked to undesirable outcomes in areas
such as health, education, emotional welfare, and delinquency. Changes
in child poverty signal important changes in children’s quality of
life and life chances.
The
Carsey Institute conducts research and analysis on the challenges
facing rural families and communities in
New Hampshire, New England, and the nation. The Carsey Institute sponsors independent, interdisciplinary
research that documents trends and conditions affecting families
and communities, providing valuable information and analysis to
policymakers, practitioners, the media, and the general public.
Through this work, the Carsey Institute contributes to public dialogue
on policies that encourage social mobility and sustain healthy,
equitable communities. The Carsey Institute was established in
May 2002 with a generous gift from UNH alumna and noted television
producer Marcy Carsey.
