As a whole, the nation improved in eight of the 10 areas, while Hawai'i slipped in five.

This year's report is based on 2001 data. Comparing those figures with statistics from 1996, Hawai'i saw an 11 percent increase in low-birthweight babies and a 7 percent increase in infant mortality.

Mary Oneha, director of case management/utilization at the Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, said the center and its satellites had seen an increase in low-birthweight babies, but still below the 7.7 percent reported by Kids Count.

Early prenatal care and support from family and service providers helps prevent low birthweight, she said.

Meanwhile, "Our teen pregnancy rate has remained the same — about one-third of our pregnant population," Oneha said.

Hawai'i saw an 11 percent increase in teens not attending school or working, and a 40 percent jump in the dropout rate. Nevertheless, the state ranks seventh in the nation for lowest percentage of high school dropouts.

Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen wondered where Kids Count came up with its figures, since they don't match any DOE statistics.

"The numbers don't suggest any significant drop in the number of graduates. Our enrollment has stayed relatively stable, so I don't know how they can calculate a drop," Knudsen said.

Meanwhile, the number of children in poverty remained stable, with fewer children living in families where neither parent has full-time, year-round employment but more children living in single- parent households.

"Disconnected youth" garnered particular attention in the Kids Count report.

A growing number of young adults in Hawai'i and the nation are not working or pursuing higher education. The report finds about 15 percent of Hawai'i's 18- to 24-year-olds are "disconnected youth."

Douglas Nelson, Casey Foundation president, called the corresponding nationwide figure alarming. "Since 2000 alone, the ranks of these young adults grew by 700,000 — a 19 percent increase over just three years. Over 3.8 million disconnected youth face a greater likelihood of bad outcomes, now and in the future, which holds severe implications for our society," he said.

In Hawai'i, 15,000 young adults are not working or seeking education beyond a high school diploma.

"These data are warning signs that we need to pay closer attention to our youth," said Marika Ripke, project director for Hawai'i Kids Count. "Many are experiencing difficulty finding a productive role in society. These 'disconnected youth' will find it hard to successfully navigate the transition to adulthood."

Nationally, the group includes those from low-income or minority families, those who were in foster care or the juvenile justice system, teenage parents and high school dropouts. According to the study, they often reach adulthood without the skills, support, experience, education and confidence to transition successfully into adulthood.

In addition, the foundation warns that these youth may have a difficult time moving beyond low-wage jobs, making it harder to find adequate housing or become stable providers for their children. They are also more likely to be incarcerated or to be victims of crimes.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.