10 Policies to Cut Child Poverty in Half in 10 Years



At least 9.6 million U.S. children (13%) live in poverty. Among Latino children, poverty rates are even higher (22% vs. 8% white children). These children will often lack quality education and healthcare while suffering trauma and poor health outcomes. But what if there was a way to fight poverty? Or better yet, what if you had a road map with the most effective ways to fight poverty? A new bipartisan report produced by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), focuses on 10 big policy areas that could cut the child poverty rate by up to 50%, while at the same time increasing employment and earnings among adults living in low-income families. Researchers conducted two simulations or projections for each policy area to explore the effects that ...

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Tell USDA: Protect SNAP!


SNAP federal food assistance protect poverty

The SNAP federal food assistance program is at risk again, and YOU CAN HELP! The Trump Administration wants to cut SNAP and could abolish food aid to 750,000 Americans who are underemployed and unemployed. This could fuel hunger and poverty among those most vulnerable, says the Food Research & Action Center. SNAP cuts would hurt Latinos, who are already less likely to seek nutrition help for fear of immigration penalties. You can make a public comment to USDA on SNAP until April 2, 2019. How to Submit a Comment to Save SNAP! 1. Copy one of our Salud America! model comments. Tweak the parts in green: SNAP HAS VALUE I am a NAMEOFPROFESSION in NAMEOFPLACE. I really value the SNAP program in my community. SNAP is proven to improve the economy, according to a Salud America! ...

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Making the Case for Paid Family Leave


Pregnant Latina at work.

Paid leave reduces the use of public services, boosts employee productivity, and can help families better succeed—yet three in four Latinos are unable to take such time. Despite data that shows its benefits, there is no federal requirement to provide paid family leave. The 1993 federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), legislation most businesses follow, does not cover all workers and leave offers are unpaid. Lack of paid leave and other economic support contributes to health and economic disparities among Latinas, Latinos, and low-income families. Still, paid leave is gaining popular support, including a proposal for universal paid family leave. “If the [corporate officers and directors] gets paid leave, then the factory floor worker should also get paid leave,” ...

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U.S. Cancer Death Rates Decline, But Less for Those in Poverty


cancer screening

The overall U.S. cancer death rate fell 27% from 1991 to 2016, according to a recent study by the American Cancer Society. Good news, right? Not so fast. The report revealed a disturbing trend: a growing gap in cancer death rates based on wealth. "It was surprising to see that the disparities by socioeconomic status are actually widening," Rebecca Siegel, first author of the study and strategic director of surveillance information at the American Cancer Society, told CNN. "Wealth causes differences in exposure to risk factors and also access to high-quality cancer prevention, early detection and treatment." Cancer is the leading cause of death among U.S. Latinos. They are more likely to receive a cancer diagnoses in later, less curable cancer stages. The Bad News This is ...

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The Colossal Latina Pay Gap


latina pay gap data 2

U.S. Latinas are paid 47% less than white men on average, according to the National Partnership for Women and Families. Furthermore, Latinas are paid 31% less than White women. Regardless of their job, where they live, or their education, Latinas are paid less. This is not good. In the United States, one in five women is Latina. Latina Wage Gap Latinos already suffer a wide wealth divide than their white peers. Latina women specifically are paid 57 cents for every $1 paid to white non-Latino men, according to the new data. “Latinas face biases for being women and for being people of color. These compounding biases contribute to the Latina pay gap and help explain the inequality Latinas experience in the workplace” said Rachel Thomas, president of ...

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Study: Latinos Underestimate their Own Contributions in the United States



Most Latinos in America underestimate their contribution to the United States, according to a new study from the We All Are Human foundation. The study of more than 2,500 Latinos ages 14 and older analyzed their political, business, and educational views. Participants shared thoughts on 16 positive Latino accomplishments, such as launching more new business and achieving higher levels of education More than 77% of participants expressed disbelief around six of these significant Latino achievements. "Overwhelmingly, Latinos are saying that they're under-valued and that their contributions aren't fully appreciated," said Claudia Romo Edelman, founder of We All Are Human, in a press release. More Study Findings on Latino Confidence 82% of Latinos feel their community should ...

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The Digital Divide: Kids Face Homework Gap


Frustrated Latino Son and Mother Study Homework School

Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. households with school children do not have high-speed Internet access at home, and 1 in 4 low-income teens have no access to a computer at home, according to a new analysis by Pew Research Center. This causes a "homework gap." Latinos and other youth of color, especially those from low-income families, are more likely to face this digital divide at home to complete tech-based school homework. Latino and other minority students are already at a significant disadvantage due to an unhealthy school environment and less physical activity, according to a Salud America! Research Review. Additionally, Latino and other minorities, both children and adults, suffer a big lack of access to support for economic and education success, which makes it extremely difficult ...

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Groups Suffer From Wealth Divide


race wealth taxes divide equity gap

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act aims to give an economic boost to hardworking Americans. But it's not working that way, some experts say. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act actually rewards top-income earners, and expands the ever-growing wealth divide between whites and Latinos and others, according an Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) report. "These tax cuts reward existing White wealth at the expense of the economic security of households of [people of different backgrounds], poor households, and a stalling middle class," according to the ITEP report. For Latino and Black families, the economic outlook is bleak. Wealth and Communities of Color Income is already a rising issue. Latino families have a median net worth of $21,000, respectively. Black families have a ...

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Study: Rural Immigrant Communities on the Border Suffer Poor Health


Stawberry Harvest in Central California

Foreign-born immigrants in U.S. rural borderlands are plagued by poverty, stress, discrimination and lack of access to adequate healthcare, according to a new study by the University of California Riverside. These inequities jeopardize their mental and physical health. “While the research focused on Latino immigrants in Southern California, our findings tell us a lot about structural level factors and daily life events and chronic strain that create stress for minorities and immigrants in rural communities,” Ann Cheney, lead researcher and an assistant professor in the Center for Healthy Communities at UC Riverside, said in a press release. Rural Health as a Health Disparity The South Eastern Coachella Valley is home to predominantly low-income Mexican farmworking ...

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