Washington, D.C. — A new Center for American Progress analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data demonstrates that over the past several months, families of color have disproportionately experienced negative social, economic, and mental health effects of the coronavirus crisis.
This new analysis provides racially disaggregated estimates for the percentages of U.S. households experiencing economic, housing, and food insecurity, as well as health and health care problems. It is based on U.S. Census Bureau data collected from May 28 to June 2 of this year.
Among the key findings:
- 63 percent of Hispanic or Latino and 54 percent of Black households report losing income since March 13th.
- 22 percent of all Black households and 27 percent of Black households with children report not having enough to eat during the previous week.
- 45 percent of Black households and 45 percent of Latino or Hispanic households reported having slight or no confidence that they would be able to pay their next month’s rent on time.
- While all groups surveyed reported feeling emotional distress, a greater percentage of Latino or Hispanic, Asian American, and Black respondents reported symptoms associated with depression or anxiety.
“Data show that the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated racial disparities and harmed the physical and economic well-being of Black and Latinx households,” said Connor Maxwell, senior policy analyst for Race and Ethnicity Policy at CAP and author of the analysis. “As Americans grapple with the racism endemic in our nation’s police forces, these data underscore that systemic racism permeates every aspect of American society, from the labor market, to housing, to food security and access to health services. Discrimination in all these areas during the coronavirus crisis, and for centuries before that, has compounded to persistently harm communities of color.”
Read: “The Coronavirus Crisis Is Worsening Racial Inequality” by Connor Maxwell
For more information on this topic or to speak to an expert, contact Julia Cusick at [email protected].
To find the latest CAP resources on the coronavirus, visit our coronavirus resource page.