LifeTime

Of INEQUALITY

Race and ethnicity can shape a

person’s life from beginning to

end. In the U.S., disparities in

health, wealth, and access to

education among the four major

demographic groups—Asian,

white, Hispanic, and black—

persist and can be compounded

over time. For example, blacks

and Hispanics earn less than

whites and Asians. Low wages

often make it harder to finance

a child’s education. For people

without a college degree, upward

mobility can be particularly

difficult to achieve.

FINANCES

The child poverty rate for blacks and

Hispanics is more than double the rate

for whites and Asians. Higher

unemployment rates and lower

earnings contribute to the gap.

EDUCATION

Hispanics and blacks are less likely

than Asians and whites to graduate

from high school and attend college.

Asians significantly outpace all other

groups in college enrollment.

HEALTH CARE

Blacks have higher infant mortality and

lower life expectancy than the other

groups. Yet compared with Hispanics,

who have similar diabetes rates, blacks

have more health insurance coverage.

Race categories (white, black, and Asian)

exclude people of Hispanic ethnicity.

The Hispanic category includes Hispanics

of all races.

figures are percentages unless

otherwise specified.