Report: Most American’s doing better than fifty years ago

Today in a House press conference authors Sarah Burd-Sharps and Kristen Lewis of the report “The Measure of America, American Human Development Report 2008-2009” explained their findings. The findings of the research were compiled from government documents that were available for the last two years, including the census and current economic reports. All of the findings were compiled to give the country “a very holistic approach that puts the person at the front and center,” said Burd-Sharps.

The research that was conducted looked at each state and each congressional district in the United States. The data that was collected looked specifically at life expectancy, educational degree attainment and medium personal income levels. Findings of the research documented that some states are advancing faster than others in terms of overall development. In terms of geographical regions that placed well the North East was ranked very high with the state of Connecticut receiving the highest ranking in the whole country. According to Lewis, Connecticut is where the country should be by the year 2020. Findings also concluded that the state of Mississippi was ranked lowest due to low life expectancy, income and educational attainment. The findings stated that Mississippi is where the country as a whole was in 1980.

Further findings looked at race and ethnicity, specifically which groups have been advancing fastest. The report states that Asian American’s and Whites are far ahead on wealth and education while African American’s are least healthy. The report indicates that African American males are less healthy now than they were in 1960 with infant mortality rates amongst African American’s up two and a half percent.

While the report does not offer clear explanations on how to address the issues that are documented, Congressman Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) believes the best way to address health care is universal coverage. Shays said “American’s should have universal coverage, it would be cheaper and would give American’s the same option as federal employees who currently have eighteen different options for health care.”