Wage Gap for Latinos is “Persistent” in Los Angeles

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Los Angeles, California (48.67% Latino population) is the second largest city in the United States. The city is also one of the largest urban hubs of Latinos in the country. However, the inequity gaps in health, wealth, income, and opportunities for Latinos is rising in the City of Angels.

In a report developed by PolicyLink, the USC Program for Environmental and Regional Equity and the Weingart Foundation, a number of “grim” statistics and facts were uncovered.

“Across the region, people are struggling daily for the things so many of us take for granted – safe streets, good jobs, access to health care, affordable housing and a quality education for our families,” said Fred Ali, president and CEO of the Weingart Foundation in an interview with Hollywood Patch. “Over the past several decades, long-standing inequities in our communities have reached unprecedented levels. Addressing these disparities is both a moral and economic imperative for us all.”

In order to reduce health disparities, it is critical to address inequities in programs, practices, and policies. Join our site, connect with others, and get involved.

Since 1979, job growth in Los Angeles County has not kept up with the population growth and has dramatically lagged behind the national average. The city also ranks 7^th out of 150 major metro markets in income inequality.

This is in stark contrast to the rest of the country. According to Pew Research, Latinos have gained 2.8 million jobs since the recession ended in 2009.

The Los Angeles area is also losing its middle-wage job while growing low- and high-wage jobs.

For Latinos specifically, nearly one quarter (23.7%) live below the poverty line and are less likely than their white peers to graduate from high school.

“If racial gaps in income and employment were closed, the L.A. economy would be nearly $380 billion stronger,” said Angela Glover Blackwell, CEO of PolicyLink. “We call this the `racial equity dividend.’ Full inclusion benefits all Angelenos.”

Read the full report here.

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