An entire century of human progress separates the worst-off from the best-off groups within the United States, according to a report released today from the American Human Development Project.
The report (.pdf) measures the well-being of African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Alaska Natives, Asian Americans and whites at the national and state level using health, education and income data.
One key finding from the report illustrates the disparity between racial and ethnic groups in America:
New Jersey Asian Americans live, on average, an astonishing 26 years longer, are 11 times more likely to have a graduate degree, and earn $35,610 more per year than South Dakota Native Americans. This gap in wages exceeds the median annual earnings of the typical American worker (about $30,000).
Among the findings related to Californian residents:
- Asian Americans and Latinos outlive whites by nearly four years or more.
- Nationally, Native Americans in California live better than in any other state.
- Although African Americans in California rank No. 5 on the national human development index, the group has the shortest life span and lowest heath index score statewide.
