Save the Children has created the first-ever ranking of U.S. counties where children are most and least prioritized and protected.

Researchers examined data from more than 2,600 counties and county-equivalents in all 50 states.

The rankings are based on four factors that cut childhood short: child hunger, poor education, teenage pregnancy and early death due to ill health, accident, murder or suicide.

This report uncovers an unacceptable reality in America, where one child can be exponentially more likely than another to succeed in life based solely on the county where they grow up.

Save the Children's fourth annual Global Childhood Report evaluates the best and worst countries for children by examining factors that cut childhoods short, such as early death, malnutrition, teen births and dropping out of school. The U.S. ranks 43rd out of 180 countries, tied with China and Montenegro, and trailing nearly all other high-income countries in helping children reach their full potential.

The report shows that political will and investments in children are paying off. Closing equity gaps and making all U.S. counties great places to raise kids would give millions more children full childhoods that set them up for successful futures. If each county protected and provided for its children as well as the highest ranked county in its state, 3.5 million fewer children would struggle with hunger, 130,000 fewer teens would give birth, and 15,000 fewer children would die in America each year.

For more than a century, Save the Children has worked tirelessly to ensure children have the opportunity survive, thrive and be protected – no matter who they are or where they’re from. Our trailblazing founder Eglantyne Jebb was radical in her belief that children have rights – and it’s been our life’s work to advocate for and protect kids in the United States and around the world.

Unfortunately, our nation again faces some of our darkest moments – unjust and racist actions toward our fellow men, women and children. After centuries of systemic racism and injustice, children of color continue to be left behind. Racial inequities start in childhood and have life-long impacts on children of color. Similarly, other economic and social injustices affect children of all races in every corner of our country. We must do better for our nation’s children and close these equity gaps.

This year, as we launch 'The Land of Inopportunity: Closing the Childhood Equity Gap for America’s Kids,' we invite you to stand with us – and with children – and commit to vote at every level of government for children’s futures. Participating in our democracy is one of the greatest privileges we have as Americans – and your vote is important. And powerful.