In addition, it said families in less-than-affordable housing move around more, making it harder to hold down jobs. And substandard housing, it found, makes children more likely to suffer from stunted growth, iron deficiency, asthma and lead poisoning — and they are more likely to miss time at school.

And, echoing a concern expressed recently by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., it criticized the state's tax system, which gives Utahns the 14th-highest tax burden in the nation (based on the portion of their income taken up by taxes). It also stated that those with incomes below $16,000 pay 11.4 percent in taxes while those with incomes above $280,000 pay just 5.5 percent.

The report also included some remedies. It suggested the state either raise its minimum wage or give employers incentives to pay higher wages. It also encouraged ongoing funding for the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund, more accessible farmer's markets, and agriculture programs and steps to ensure access to prevention-oriented health care.

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E-mail: dhinckley@desnews.com