Black Child Legacy Campaign (BCLC) has released its 2025 Annual Community Indicator Report, tracking countywide child deaths and the social determinants of health across BCLC’s seven focus neighborhoods. It demonstrates both meaningful progress in some of the most preventable causes of death, as well as urgent areas where disparities persist and must be addressed.
Notable data points:
- Child abuse & neglect homicides decreased by 61% among Black children since the 2012–2014 baseline—exceeding the original goal set by the Blue Ribbon Commission. The disparity gap fell 69%.
- Infant sleep-related deaths decreased by 30% since the baseline, with a 32% narrowing of the disparity gap—yet Black infants still face a 5.5× higher rate than all others.
- Overall child deaths (0–17) decreased by 9% among Black children.
- Areas of concern: Perinatal deaths increased 14% (Black infants 3.3× higher than others), and third‑party homicides rose 46% and are 8.1× higher than all others.
Community conditions are shifting, too: Black/African American child poverty declined 39% (2014→2023), bachelor’s degree attainment increased and foster care entries fell 60% since 2015. At the same time, chronic absenteeism remains elevated post‑pandemic, youth homelessness has increased in several districts, and preterm (13.2%) and low birth weight (14%) births among Black infants remain high.
“This year’s data tells a story of resilience and resolve,” said BCLC Program Officer Jedida Gomes. “We’re seeing real gains where community-led prevention is strongest—especially in reducing child abuse and neglect—while the perinatal and youth violence trends remind us that equity work is urgent and unfinished. BCLC’s model of trusted neighborhood leadership, culturally rooted supports and systems partnership remains a proven path to closing the gap for Black children and families.”