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

VaccinationAmong 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.