Kerala tops in care for children

News: Mobile Creches, a non-governmental organization has released Young Child Outcomes Index(YCOI) and Young Child Environment Index(YCEI) as a part of its ‘State of the Young Child in India’ report.

Facts:

• Young Child Outcomes Index(YCOI): The index has been constructed for two time periods (2005–2006 and 2015–2016) to enable inter-State comparisons as well as provide an idea of change over time.
• Parameters: The index measures health, nutrition and cognitive growth with the help of indicators such as infant mortality rate, stunting and net attendance at the primary school level.
• Key Takeaways: 
  • Top States: Kerala, Goa, Tripura, Tamil Nadu and Mizoram are among the top five States for well-being of children.
  • Below Average States: It identifies eight States that have scores below the country’s average: they are Assam, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

• Young Child Environment Index(YCEI): The index aims to understand the policy and environment enablers that influence a child’s well-being.It was constructed for 2015–2016 only due to limitations of data availability.
• Parameters: The index uses five policy enablers that influence child well-being outcomes, including poverty alleviation, strengthening primary health care, improving education levels, safe water supply and promotion of gender equity.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Topped by: Kerala, Goa, Sikkim, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh secured the top five positions.
  • Below Average States: It identifies eight States that have scores below the country’s average: they are Assam, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.