The status of Missouri families is important to all of us.  Here are some brief facts about family life, health, economics, children, aging and housing.

Reports for each county in Missouri

Family Life
Healthy families make healthy communities.

• 75,290 babies were born in 2001.  (Trend from 1990-2001)
• 5,759 low birth weight babies were born in 2001. (Trend 1998-2001)
• 42,086 marriages occurred in 2001. (Trend from 1990-2001)
• 23,458 divorces occurred in 2001. (Trend from 1950-2001)

Nutrition and Health
Chronic disease risk can be reduced by healthy eating and being active.

• 16,453 deaths were due to heart disease in 2001. (Trend from 1989-2001)
• 12,289 deaths were due to cancer in 2001. (Trend from 1989-2001)
• 1,514 deaths were due to diabetes in 2000.  (Trend from 1989-2001)
• 27% of Missouri adults smoke in 2000.  (Trend from 1990-2000)
• 79% of Missouri adults do not eat enough fruits & vegetables in 2000. (Trend from 1990-2000)
• 29% of Missouri adults do not spend any time getting physical activity in 2000.  (Trend 1990-2000)
• 22% of Missouri adults are obese in 2000.  (Trend from 1990-2000)

Children and Parents
Children need involved adults who care about them.

• 26% of the population was under 18 years of age in 2000.
• 11,317 children were abused in 2001.

Adolescents
Adolescents need opportunities to develop leadership and autonomy.

• 81% of teens graduated from high school in 2001. (Trend from 1988-2001)
• 9,426 births were to teens in 2000. (Trend from 1989-2001)
• 52% of children had Internet access at home in 2000.

Family Finances
Managing financial resources increases family stability.

• Median household income was $37,934 in 1999.
• 15% of children lived in poverty in 1999.

Aging

Aging successfully requires dealing with many changes.

• 14% of the population was over 65 years of age in 2000.
• 9% of Missourians were between ages 55-64 in 2000.
• 6% of children were living with their grandparents in 2000.

Housing
Affordable homeownership and maintenance can prevent household hazards and neighborhood blight.

• 16% of homes were built before 1940.
• 33% of renters and 16% of owners were burdened by housing costs in 2000. (Trend from 1990 -2000). 

What can we do?
Healthy families are the building blocks of healthy communities.  These key questions can help us improve the health of our communities.

• How can we improve the health of families?
• How can we help parents?
• How do we provide for our older residents?
• How can we improve child care and help teens?
• How can we assist families manage finances and housing?

The University of Missouri Human Environmental Sciences program is committed to creating educational programs to improve the state of Missouri families.

Note:  Data in this report were compiled from numerous state and federal agency reports from Missouri Departments of Health and Senior Services, Social Services, Elementary and Secondary Education and the U.S. Bureau of the Census.  Complete documentation can be found here.