The annual release of the Child Well-Being Index (CWI) provides a research-based look at the status of children in the United States over 30 years. The CWI is commissioned by the Foundation for Child Development and provides policymakers and the public with a tool to monitor the well-being of children nationwide.

The data cut through the headlines and conventional wisdom to offer a multi-faceted portrait of the quality of life of our children. The index addresses questions such as "Are American children doing better or worse than they were in 1975? By how much? In what areas?" by tracking quantifiable indicators including childhood obesity, the poverty rate, suicide rates, and violent crime rates.

The index's release is intended to spark public discussion about the lives of American children and youth and the factors that contribute to their quality of life, including physical health, educational attainment, social relationships and spiritual and emotional well-being.

At this event, hosted by the New America Foundation’s Workforce and Family Program, the results of the 2007 Index were presented by Duke University researcher Dr. Kenneth Land. Following the presentation, David Gray moderated a distinguished panel of experts discussing the survey results, and the important question of “Where do we go from here?”

Video of the event is available at right; an MP3 audio recording is available below.