CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A new study found Black and LatinX families are bearing the economic brunt of COVID-19 pandemic and looks at how that impacts children.
The study from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that in Illinois, 24 percent of Black adults in households with children and 18 percent of LatinX adults in households with children said they did not have enough food to eat in the past week. Additionally 32 percent of Black families and 25 percent of LatinX families said they had no confidence in their ability to make their next rent or mortgage payment.
These are just two of the data points that indicate the impact of the economic downturn due to the pandemic on Illinois families. In Illinois, and nationally, families of color are bearing the brunt of the pandemic, according to Kids, Families and COVID-19: Pandemic Pain Points and a Roadmap for Recovery, a 50-state report of recent household data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how families are faring during the COVID-19 crisis.
The data also found 10 percent of Illinoisans did not have health insurance, with LatinXs lacking it at 22 percent, Black Illinoisans at 15 percent, and white Illinoisans at 4 percent. Nationally, 12 percent did not have health insurance.
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The KIDS COUNT report examined data from weekly surveys conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau that demonstrate how families across the country are challenged to meet basic needs during this global public health crisis while managing school, work, and mental health.
The economic stress has an impact on mental health: 18 percent of Illinois respondents said they felt down, depressed, or hopeless, with 17 percent of Black Illinoisans, 13 percent of LatinXs, and 21 percent of whites feeling this way.
“This unprecedented crisis has only amplified the pain and inequalities experiences by many Illinois families for decades,” said Tasha Green Cruzat, executive director of Voices for Illinois Children, powered by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Illinois’s member of the KIDS COUNT network. “In the coming weeks and months, we call upon Illinois legislators to respond boldly to these crises so that we can keep Illinois’ families and children out of harm’s way.”
The Foundation is urging state and federal lawmakers to include diverse perspectives when mapping out COVID relief policies, such as additional unemployment, housing assistance, and school funding.