The Socioeconomic, Health, Safety, and Education Disparities Faced by Boys and Men of Color in California

I n the United States, racial/ethnic disparities exist across an array of domains. A broad literature addresses how racial/ethnic disparities have developed and persisted over time in the context of historical and structural racism that has shaped policies, practices, and programs in ways that create disadvantage for certain groups. In recognition that many of these inequities are great for boys and men of color, Th e California Endowment asked the RAND Corporation to examine and document racial/ethnic disparities for boys and men of color in California. Th e study provides detailed information for selected indicators in four broad outcome domains— socioeconomic, health, safety, and ready to learn. (Th e domains and indicators are shown in the table on pp. 3–4). Th e goal was to analyze available data and quantify the magnitude of the disparities for boys and men of color, with the aim of identifying possible starting points—or benchmarks—for addressing them.