The Economic Consequences of Disability Status: A Comparison Between Anglo, Black and Latino Men

1996

Anne Santiago

Document Id: RR-14

Utilizing data from the 1990 Panel Study of Income Dynamics Preliminary Release File, this paper examines patterns of disability and estimates the differential costs attributed to disability status for Anglo, Black and Latino men. The analysis reveals considerable variation in the prevalence of disability. When examining prevalence across racial and ethnic groups, Puerto Rican men have the highest rates of disability, regardless of the indicator used to measure disability; Anglo men report the lowest rates. Multivariate analyses reveal that poor health and the presence of a work disability were significant predictors of the labor force participation and earnings of men. These analyses also suggest that the economic well-being of Blacks and Latinos is further constrained by the costs associated with carrying "additional minority" statuses, lending partial support to the notion of double or triple jeopardy.

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