The future of the Commonwealth is as bright as the sky on a cloudy day.
According to the 2008 Virginia Report produced by the Council on Virginia’s Future, the state has made progress in many of the 46 quality-of-life indicators, but rising infant death rate, consumer fraud and obesity spoil the taste of victory.
The Council reports that while Virginia improved its high school graduation rates, infant mortality in 2007 increased to a staggering 7.7 deaths for 1,000 live births, and counted for more than 800 deaths last year. The death rate for black infants was twice as high as the state’s overall rate.
According to the report, Virginia’s obesity rate also increased to 25.3 in 2007 from 25.1 percent in 2005, still lower than the national average of 26.3 percent. Child immunization fell to 30th in 2007 from fifth best in 2005.
Despite the bad news, the Council noted one interesting projection: The Commonwealth is said to become the 12th fastest-growing state in the country.