The measure of America 2010-2011 : mapping risks and resilience american human development project / Kristen Lewis and Sarah Burd-Sharps.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lewis, Kristen.

Contributor:

Credo Reference (Firm)

Burd-Sharps, Sarah.

Series:

Social Science Research Council ; 9

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Quality of life--United States--Statistics.

Quality of life.

Social indicators--United States--Statistics.

Social indicators.

United States--Social conditions--21st century--Statistics.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (337 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : New York University Press, c2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The Measure of America, 2010-2011, is the definitive report on the overall well-being of all Americans. How are Americans doing—compared to one another and compared to the rest of the world? This important, easy-to-understand guide will provide all of the essential information on the current state of America. This fully illustrated report, with over 130 color images, is based on the groundbreaking American Human Development Index, which provides a single measure of the well-being for all Americans, disaggregated by state and congressional district, as well as by race, gender, and ethnicity. The Index rankings of the 50 states and 435 congressional districts reveal huge disparities in the health, education, and living standards of different groups. For example, overall, Connecticut ranked first among states on the 2008-2009 Index, and Mississippi ranked last, suggesting that there is a 30-year gap in human development between the two states. Further, among congressional districts, New York’s 14th District, in Manhattan, ranked first, and California’s 20th District, near Fresno, ranked last. The average resident of New York’s 14th District earned over three times as much as the average resident of California’s 20th District, lived over four years longer, and was ten times as likely to have a college degree .The second in the American Human Development Report series, the 2010-2011 edition features a completely updated Index, new findings on the well-being of different racial and ethnic groups from state to state, and a closer look at disparities within major metro areas. It also shines a spotlight on threats to progress and opportunity for some Americans as well as highlighting tested approaches to fostering resilience among different groups. Using a revelatory framework for explaining the very nature of human progress, this report can be used not only as a way to measure America but also to build upon past policy successes, protect the progress made over the last half century from new risks, and create an infrastructure of opportunity that can serve a new generation of Americans. Beautifully illustrated with stunning four-color graphics that allow for a quick visual understanding of often complex but important issues, The Measure of America is essential reading for all Americans, especially for social scientists, policy makers, and pundits who want to understand where Americans stand today.

Contents:

The Measure of America, 2010-2011

Front matter

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Key Findings

INTRODUCTION. Human Development in America Today

Introduction

Part I: Understanding Human Development

Measuring Human Development

Part II: Reducing Risks, Increasing Resilience

Safeguarding the Capabilities We Have

Overcoming Barriers to Access

Conclusion

Dashboard of Risks

CHAPTER 1. What the American Human Development Index Reveals

Historical Trends: A Half Century of Development Progress

Presenting American Human Development Index Scores

CHAPTER 2. A Long and Healthy Life

Part I: What the Health Index Reveals

Analysis by State, Congressional District, Gender, Race, and Ethnicity

What Fuels These Gaps?

PART II: Reducing Risks and Increasing Resilience in Health

Risks Facing Men

Risks Facing People with Low Socioeconomic Status

Risks Facing People with Persistent and Severe Mental Illness

Risks Facing African Americans

Risks Facing Native Americans

Increasing Resilience in Health: What Will It Take?

CHAPTER 3. Access to Knowledge

Part I: What the Education Index Reveals

Part II: Reducing Risks and Increasing Resilience in Access to Knowledge

Preschool Education: Getting It Right from the Start

Success in High School: The Bare Minimum

College: Enrollment, Persistence, and Success

Increasing Resilience in Access to Knowledge: What Will It Take?

CHAPTER 4. A Decent Standard of Living

Part I: What the Income Index Reveals

Reducing Risks for Children and Adolescents

Working Years and Family Balance: Getting a Strong Foothold in the Job Market and Investing in the Future

Retirement Security: Freedom and Choices in the Golden Years

Increasing Resilience in Standard of Living: What Will It Take?

CONCLUSION. Agenda for Action: Reducing Risks, Building Resilience

Human Development Indicators

AMERICAN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX

U.S. INDICATOR TABLES

OECD INDICATOR TABLES

References

Methodological Notes

Notes

Bibliography

Index to Indicators

Maps At-A-Glance

A Day in the Life

WHO ARE WE?

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780814765050

081476505X

9780814783818

0814783813

9781780345345

1780345348

OCLC:

819603564