The Real-World Implications of Race in the U.S.

In the U.S., race serves as a predictor for everything from health to wealth to educational attainment. Huge disparities persist between whites and people of color.

Health

Health: Well-being Among those with a primary healthcare physician: * 11% of whites said they were in poor health * 17% of blacks said they were in poor health * 20% of Latinos said they were in poor health Surveyed issued by the American Board of Family Practitioners, November-December 2004

Health: Likelihood of Influenza Vaccination Among those 65 and older: * 70.2% of whites received the vaccination * 52% of blacks received the vaccination * 46.7% of Latinos received the vaccination Center for Disease Control Fact Sheet on Racial/Health Disparities, 2004

Poverty & Wealth

Poverty * 9.3% of white children live below the poverty line * 27.8% of Latino children live below the poverty line * 33.1% of black children live below the poverty line State-Level Measures of Child Well-Being From the 2000 Census, Annie E. Casey Foundation

Wealth: Households with incomes of $75,000 or more * 28.9% of white households * 17% of Latino households * 14.5% of black households U.S. Census Bureau, Households, by Total Money Income in 2005, Type of Household, Race, and Hispanic Origin of Householder

Wealth: Average Household Income * White households: $50, 784 * Latino households: $35,967 * Black households: $30,858 U.S. Census Bureau, 2005

Wealth: Home Ownership Rates * Whites: 76% * Latinos: 49.5% * Blacks: 48% U.S. Census Bureau, 2005

Education

Education: Who Possesses a High School Diploma? Whites: 89% Blacks: 80% Latinos: 60% U.S. Census, 2005

Education: Who Possesses a Degree? * Whites: 30% * Blacks: 17% * Latinos: 12% U.S. Census, 2005

In the U.S., race has real-world meaning.