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Advocacy Blog
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
United Way State of Caring Index Shows Drop
The report notes problems with increases in the costs of renting; declines in income; difficulties in securing steady employment and continued lack of health care coverage; as well as an increase in the percentage of families with children living with a single parent. Improvements were found in home ownership, child reading scores, maternal and infant health, as well as a dropping crime rate.
Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way of America, said, "While we're making progress in certain areas, if we don't pay attention to negative indicators such as rental affordability, health care access and the growing income gap in the long term, this Index will unfortunately continue to decline. The overall results in the State of Caring Index points to a need to redouble our collective efforts to share opportunities with and protect the most vulnerable populations before economic cracks that are emerging weaken gains made in other areas."
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