This is the 14th annual Report Card, and we hope it will once again encourage everyone concerned about young North Carolinians to see the big picture and rededicate their efforts to improving the health and safety of the children whose lives they affect. Statewide data are presented for the most current year available (usually 2007) with a comparative year (usually 2002) as a benchmark. Unless otherwise noted, data are presented for calendar years. The specific indicators were chosen not only because they are important, but also because data are available. In time, we hope expanded data systems will.
