State-Of-Black-Oregon-2015

CHAPTER 1RACE AND SURROUNDINGSOur surroundings mold our development, significantly impacting ourphysical and mental health and shaping our life’s path from a very earlyage. The neighborhood where a mother lives while she’s pregnant; thehome a child sees when he wakes up; a parent’s presence or absence; goodnutrition; and social and economic support—these are all factors in a child’s health,well-being and eventual achievement.The images children see outside their windows, and how that outside world perceives and treatsthem, can generate either fear and poor self-esteem or confidence, security and pride. We knowthat the environment of many Black children is significantly different from the world of their Whitecounterparts. This fact is not new; what we need are new solutions. To lift up Black children, thesesolutions must be bold and direct; both new and proven strategies. They must begin before a child isconceived. Since a mother is the microenvironment in which her child grows and develops, it makessense to ensure her physical and emotional health and well-being.Children Living at 200% Poverty or Below(2014)BlackWhiteLow Birth Weight(2013)62 %37 %Black11 %White 6 %Infant Mortality(Deaths per 1,000 live births, 2008)Food Insecurity(2010–2011)Black 8.9Black44.1 %White 5.2White18.7 %14