Indicators 2023: Report explores data through an 'equity lens'

Sep. 10—WILKES-BARRE — Jill Avery-Stoss, chief operating officer at The Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development, The Institute's annual Indicators report now includes data specific to social equity issues.

Avery-Stoss said these statistics are used to determine where social inequities exist and for whom.

"Identifying these disparities is the first step in a long process of learning about their causes as well as the full extent of their impact," Avery-Stoss said. "Inequity is present in healthcare, housing, education, and more — and it affects just about every community."

Avery-Stoss said data analyzed in this year's report found several areas of disparity across racial lines, for example. Black and Hispanic individuals are likelier than others to have income below the poverty line and workers from those backgrounds are less likely to earn at least $15 per hour in the region.

Non-white households shoulder higher rates of cost burden than white households, with women of color likeliest to be cost burdened — 61%, compared with 45% of white women and 32% of white men. Home ownership rates were far lower among Black and Hispanic households compared to white households.

Furthermore, Avery-Stoss said those who have less than a high school education face greater incidences of poor mental and physical health (including heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes) than people with high school diplomas or higher.

"Although adults across all levels of education had similar rates of depressive disorder diagnoses, those with college educations had a slightly lower rate," Avery-Stoss said. "Individuals without high school diplomas are also more likely than others to use tobacco."

Avery-Stoss said those who identify as Black non-Hispanic and Hispanic have higher rates of reported poor physical health than those identifying as white non-Hispanic. She said they also have higher reported rates of diabetes and poorer mental health.

However, those identifying as white have higher reported rates of heart attack and heart disease or stroke as well as higher rates of reported depressive disorders.

"According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), there is also a strong relationship between broadband access and health outcomes," added Avery-Stoss. "Digital equity likely correlates with other characteristics, such as age."

Avery-Stoss said people aged 65 or older are less likely than younger residents to live in households with computers, broadband, and internet subscriptions. Those with less than a high school diploma also have a lower rate of computer or broadband access in the region.

Avery-Stoss said other populations face equity challenges as well:

—People in the LGBTQ+ community experience unique barriers to accessing healthcare.

—People with disabilities sometimes face obstacles to quality education.

—Individuals living in rural areas have limited access to internet and transportation.

"Each dimension of a person's identity presents privileges and challenges that intersect to shape their experiences," Avery-Stoss said.

Avery-Stoss said it is important to address equity issues for a number of reasons — doing so builds community resilience, for instance. This is the ability of a group of people to endure and recover from hardship and trauma such as poverty or natural disasters (like wildfires and flooding).

"Since the pandemic, cities across the country have begun to consider resilience when creating policy," stated Avery-Stoss. "Research has shown that hazards disproportionately impact both low-income and minority populations, so for a community to be resilient, it is pertinent that the region address social equity in all areas."

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.