Washington State ranked 8th in the nation in leading this decline in the poverty rate . Still, the poverty rate for single-mother families in 1997 was 41.0 percent nationwide, much higher than for any other family type. Overall, Washington ranked 10th among the states in the composite index for Economic Autonomy. The study scored the states on policies concerning abortion, contraception, gay and lesbian adoption, infertility and sex education. It also presented data on fertility and natality, including births to unmarried and teenage mothers.
Issues pertaining to reproductive rights and health can be controversial.
The report reflected that the mortality rate for white infants is 6.0 per 1,000 births while for African American infants it is 14.2 per 1,000 births. In the composite index for reproductive rights, Washington ranked 11th among the states. Women 401 African American 553 Washington State ranked 6th best in the nation for women's mortality from heart disease and 15th among the 50 states in the composite index for Health and Well Being. Here the data for Hispanics is also included in each of the four racial categories. Diversity Activities Calendar main page.