Security
BACK TO THE STATE OF OPPORTUNITY IN AMERICA FULL REPORT.
For more information on the methodology used, please visit this page. This data was most recently updated on February 24, 2010.
Americans believe that we are all entitled to a basic level of education, economic well-being, health, and other protections necessary to human dignity. Access to health insurance is one indicator of security. While the number of people without health insurance increased for white and Asian Americans, other population groups experienced a decrease in lack of coverage or did not experience a change in insurance status between 2007 and 2008. Furthermore, the rate of women, Asian Americans, and American Indians/Alaska Natives who delayed medical care due to cost increased during the time evaluated.
Regarding economic security, the overall poverty rate increased significantly between 2007 and 2008, as did the overall child poverty rate and the poverty rates for most children of color. Poverty rates also increased for U.S. born citizens, naturalized citizens and non-citizens. Additionally, although the percentage of people living in poverty who were full-time workers decreased overall and for most groups, the percentage of Asian Americans living in poverty who were full-time workers increased.
Finally, reproductive health as it relates to access to family planning clinics and contraception is also an indicator of security. Between 2001 and 2006, the number of publicly supported family planning clinics and the number of women in need of contraceptive services who received it through public clinics increased.
Our overall assessment indicates that opportunity for security was mixed for the years examined.
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Poverty
Unemployment
Bankruptcy
Health Outcomes
Leading Causes of Death
Health
Insurance and Costs
Food Security
Reproductive Justice
| Indicator | 2009 Update | Supporting Data |
|---|---|---|
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Poverty Rate: measures the number and percentage of individuals living under the Census bureau income threshold for poverty.1 2 Poverty Threshold for All Ages3
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The rate of individuals living in poverty significantly increased between 2007 and 2008. Therefore, opportunity declined.
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Gender Gap in Poverty: measures the differences between the number and percent of females living in poverty to males. (Note: racial data was not available).4 |
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Although more women than men live in poverty, the gender gap in poverty declined between 2007 and 2008, meaning opportunity decreased. Men
Women
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Racial/Ethnic Poverty Gaps: measures the differences between the number and percent of racial and ethnic minorities living in poverty to the number and percent of whites living in poverty.5 |
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The poverty gap between blacks and whites decreased, while the gaps increased between all other groups and whites from 2007 to 2008. Therefore, opportunity in this area was mixed. Whites
Blacks
Hispanics
Asians
American Indians/Alaska Natives
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Child Poverty Rate: measures the number and percentage of individuals under 18-years-old living under the Census Bureau income threshold for poverty.6 Poverty Threshold for Individuals Under the Age of 65:7
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The overall child poverty rate and the poverty rates for racial and ethnic populations of children increased between 2007 and 2008. However, the black child poverty rate did not significantly change. Therefore, opportunity in this area declined during this time period. Overall
White Children
Black Children
Hispanic Children
Asian Children
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Poverty by Citizenship Status: measures the number and percentage of individuals by citizenship status living under the Census Bureau income threshold for poverty.8 Poverty Threshold for All Ages:9
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Between 2007 and 2008, the poverty rate for U.S.-born citizens, naturalized citizens, and non-citizens significantly increased. Therefore, opportunity decreased in this area during this time period. Native (U.S. Born) Citizens
Naturalized Citizens
Non-Citizens
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Workers in Poverty: measures the number and percentage of individuals living under the Census Bureau income threshold for poverty who are full-time, year-round workers.10 Poverty Threshold for All Ages:11
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The percentage of Asian people living in poverty who were full-time workers increased between 2007 and 2008. However, the overall percentage of those living in poverty who were full-time workers and the percentage of other racial and ethnic groups living in poverty who were full-time workers declined between 2007 to 2008. Therefore, opportunity in this area was mixed during this time period. All Workers*
White Workers*
Black Workers*
Hispanic Workers*
Asian Workers*
* This indicator measures the number and percentage of those living in poverty that are working full-time, not the number and percentage of full-time workers who are living in poverty. When race and ethnicity are factored in, it measures the number and percentage of people of that racial or ethnic group who are living in poverty that work full-time, i.e. the percentage of “whites in poverty” who are working full-time. |
- Researchers have found limitations and flaws in the official poverty rate measure. For more information on these limitations, please see the following National Poverty Center of the University of Michigan resource: http://www.npc.umich.edu/publications/working_papers/?publication_id=100&.
- U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, "Historical Poverty Tables - People", Table 24, available at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/histpov/perindex.html.
- U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, "Historical Poverty Tables - People", Table 1, available at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/histpov/perindex.html.
- U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, "Historical Poverty Tables - People", Table 7, available at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/histpov/perindex.html.
- U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, "Historical Poverty Tables - People", Table 24, available at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/histpov/perindex.html.
- U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, "Historical Poverty Tables - People", Table 3, available at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/histpov/perindex.html.
- U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, "Historical Poverty Tables - People", Table 1, available at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/histpov/perindex.html.
- U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, "Historical Poverty Tables - People", Table 23, available at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/histpov/perindex.html.
- U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, "Historical Poverty Tables - People", Table 24, available at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/histpov/perindex.html.
- U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, "Historical Poverty Tables - People", Table 18, available at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/histpov/perindex.html.
- U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, "Historical Poverty Tables - People", Table 1, available at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/histpov/perindex.html.
| Indicator | 2009 Update | Supporting Data |
|---|---|---|
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Unemployment — Males: the number and rate of men considered officially unemployed.1 |
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From 2007 to 2008, the overall male unemployment rate, and the male unemployment rate for all racial and ethnic groups, significantly increased. Therefore, opportunity declined in this area. Overall
Whites
Blacks
Hispanics
Asians
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Unemployment — Females: the number and rate of women considered officially unemployed.2 |
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From 2007 to 2008, the overall female unemployment rate, and the female unemployment rate for all racial and ethnic groups, significantly increased. Therefore, opportunity in this area declined. Overall
Whites
Blacks
Hispanics
Asians
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- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, “Annual Data – Household Averages,” Table 24, available at http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat24.pdf.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, “Annual Data – Household Averages,” Table 24, available at http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat24.pdf.
| Indicator | 2009 Update | Supporting Data |
|---|---|---|
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Bankruptcy Rate:measures the number of bankruptcy filings in circuit and district court. (Note: sub-population data was not available).1 |
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The bankruptcy filing rate increased from 2007 to 2008, meaning opportunity declined in this area.
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- Bankruptcy Statistics, U.S. Courts, available at http://www.uscourts.gov/Press_Releases/2008/bankrupt_newstat_f2table_jun2008.xls.
| Indicator | 2009 Update | Supporting Data |
|---|---|---|
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Life Expectancy:measures the number of years an individual can expect to live from birth. (Note: the 2004 and 2005 is the latest official data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, issued 4/2008).1 |
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Life expectancy did not significantly change for all groups between 2004 and 2005. Only blacks overall and black women experienced marginal increases in life expectancy during this time, yet the increases were not significant. Therefore, opportunity in this area was stagnant. Overall Life Expectancy
All Males
All Females
Whites
White Males
White Females
Blacks
Black Males
Black Females
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Mortality Rate: measures the age-adjusted rate of death by various subpopulations. (Note: the 2004 and 2005 is the latest official data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, issued 4/2008.)2 |
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Between 2004 and 2005, the overall mortality rate and the mortality rates for the various subgroups remained largely unchanged, except for American Indians/Alaska Natives, who experienced a significant increase in their mortality rate. Therefore, opportunity in this area declined. Overall
Male
Female
Whites
Blacks
Hispanics
Asians/Pacific Islanders
American Indians/Alaska Natives
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- National Vital Statistics Report, Deaths: Final Data for 2005, vol. 56, no. 10, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008, Table 8, available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr56/nvsr56_10.pdf.
- National Vital Statistics Report, Deaths: Final Data for 2005, vol. 56, no. 10, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008, Table 1-2, available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr56/nvsr56_10.pdf.
| Indicator | 2009 Update | Supporting Data |
|---|---|---|
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Mortality Rate — Heart Disease: measures the death rate due to heart disease of various groups.1 |
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The mortality rate due to heart disease significantly decreased for all populations between 2004 and 2005 except the Hispanic population, for whom the rate did not significantly change during this time. Therefore, opportunity increased in this area. Overall Mortality Rate
Men
Women
Whites
Blacks
Hispanics
Asians
American Indians/Alaska Natives
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Mortality Rate — Cancer: measures the death rate due to malignant neoplasms of various groups.2 |
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Although the mortality rate due to malignant neoplasms did not significantly change for the overall population and most racial and ethnic groups between 2004 and 2005, the rate significantly decreased for the black population. Therefore, opportunity increased in this area. Overall Mortality Rate
Men
Women
Whites
Blacks
Hispanics
Asians
American Indians/Alaska Natives
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Mortality Rate — Homicide: measures the death rate due to homicide of various groups.3 |
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The mortality rate due to homicide significantly increased for the overall population as well as all subpopulations except women and whites, which remained constant, between 2004 and 2005. Therefore, opportunity declined in this area during that time period. Overall Mortality Rate
Men
Women
Whites
Blacks
Hispanics
Asians
American Indians/Alaska Natives
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- National Center for Health Statistics, Health, United States, 2007, Table 29, available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus07.pdf.
- National Center for Health Statistics, Health, United States, 2007, Table 29, available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus07.pdf.
- National Center for Health Statistics, Health, United States, 2007, Table 29, available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus07.pdf.
| Indicator | 2009 Update | Supporting Data |
|---|---|---|
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Physically Unhealthy Days: measures how many days on average per year an individual suffers poor physical health.1 |
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Between 2006 and 2007, the overall population, as well as most subpopulations, experienced a significant increase in the number of physically unhealthy days per year. However, women experienced a decline in physically unhealthy days, and the average number of physically unhealthy days remained constant for whites and Native Americans. Therefore, opportunity was mixed in this area. Overall
Men
Women
Whites
Blacks
Hispanics
Asians
Native Americans
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- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health-Related Quality of Life – Prevalence Data, Mean Physically Unhealthy Days, available at http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/HRQOL/TrendV.asp?State=1&Category=1&Measure=2.
| Indicator | 2009 Update | Supporting Data |
|---|---|---|
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Health Insurance Coverage: measures the number and the rate of people without health insurance between 2007 and 2008.1 |
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Between 2007 and 2008, the number and percentage of persons without health insurance increased for whites and Asians, decreased for blacks and Hispanics, and did not change for the overall population, women, or men. Therefore, opportunity in this area was mixed. Overall
Men
Women
Whites
Blacks
Hispanics
Asians
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Health Care Costs Per Person: measures the increase in health care costs per person over a one-year period.2 |
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From 2006 to 2007, health care costs per person increased significantly, meaning that opportunity declined in this area.
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Out-of-pocket Costs Per Person: measure the increase in out-of-pocket health care costs over a one-year period.3 |
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From 2006 to 2007, out-of-pocket health care costs per person increased significantly, meaning that opportunity declined in this area.
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Forgoing Care Due to Costs: the rate at which various subgroups delay medical care due to costs.4 |
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From 2006 to 2007, women, Asians, and American Indians/Alaskan Natives experienced a significant increase in the rate of delaying medical care due to costs. The overall population, whites, and blacks did not experience significant changes during this time period. Therefore, opportunity was mixed in this area. Overall
Male
Female
Whites
Blacks
Hispanics
Asians
American Indians/Alaskan Natives
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- U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, “Historical Insurance Tables”, Table HIA-1, available at http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/hlthins/historic/index.html.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, National Health Expenditures Data, Table 1 and 3 viewed 28 December 2008 at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/downloads/tables.pdf.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, National Health Expenditures Data, Table 1 and 3 viewed 28 December 2008 at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/downloads/tables.pdf.
- National Center for Health Statistics, Health, United States, 2007, Table 79, available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus07.pdf..
| Indicator | 2009 Update | Supporting Data |
|---|---|---|
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Food Security: measures whether eating patterns were disrupted at times during the year because the household lacked money and other resources for food. (Note: numbers may not add due to rounding.)1 |
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Food security between 2007 and 2008 decreased for households, and for all individuals, adults or children, meaning that opportunity declined in this area. Households
All Individuals
Adults
Children
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- United States Department of Agriculture, Household Food Security in the United States, 2008, Table 1A/1B, available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/err83/err83.pdf.
| Indicator | 2009 Update | Supporting Data |
|---|---|---|
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Family Planning Clinics: measures the change in the number of publicly supported family planning clinics in the United States.1 |
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From 2001 to 2006, the number of public supported family planning clinics significantly increased, meaning that opportunity and access to family planning clinics increased.
* Defined as a site that offers contraceptive services to the general public and uses public funds, including Medicaid, to provide free or reduced-fee services to at least some clients. These sites may be operated by a diverse range of provider agencies, including public health departments, Planned Parenthood affiliates, hospitals, community health centers and other independent organizations.2 |
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Women in Need of Publicly Supported Contraceptive Supplies: measures the change in the percentage of women in need of contraceptive services and supplies in the United States who received care through a public clinic.3 |
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From 2001 to 2006, the number of women in need of contraceptive services and supplies who received it through public clinics significantly increased, meaning that opportunity and access to care increased.
* Women are defined as “in need of publicly funded contraceptive services and supplies” if they are 1) sexually active; 2) they are fecund, meaning that neither they nor their partner have been contraceptively sterilized, and they do not believe that they are infecund for any other reason; and 3) during at least part of the year, they are neither intentionally pregnant nor trying to become pregnant. They must also have a family income under 250% of the federal poverty level (estimated to be less than $50,000 for a family of four in 2006). All women younger than 20 who need contraceptive services are assumed to need publicly funded care, either because their personal incomes are under 250% of poverty or because of their heightened need—for reasons of confidentiality – to obtain care without depending on their family’s resources or private insurance. Because of this need, public clinics are crucial to ensuring access to care for many women.4 |
- Contraceptive Needs and Services, 2006,The Guttmacher Institute, 2009, Table 3 available at http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/win/allstates2006.pdf.
- Contraceptive Needs and Services, 2006,The Guttmacher Institute, 2009, Page 4 available at http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/win/allstates2006.pdf.
- Contraceptive Needs and Services, 2006,The Guttmacher Institute, 2009, Table A available at http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/win/allstates2006.pdf.
- Contraceptive Needs and Services, 2006,The Guttmacher Institute, 2009, Page 4 available at http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/win/allstates2006.pdf.
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