Equity Analysis
The purpose of the Equity Analysis is to identify disparities in several important indicators of health and well-being in our community. Racial disparities are highlighted to encourage the further examination of inequity and systemic and institutionalized racism in our communities and their effect on community members. Equity data for the City of Columbia and Boone County is displayed, when available.
The
Relative Rate Index (RRI) shows representation at various contact points in the
juvenile justice system. This is the rate of activity involving minority youth divided by the rate of activity involving
majority youth. If the RRI is larger than 1.00, that means that the minority group experiences contact more often than
White youth. If it is less than 1.00, that means that the minority youth experiences contact less often. In Boone County,
Black youth are almost 5 times more likely to be referred to juvenile court than White youth.
| We are safe and just |
Total |
| Relative Rate Index for Minority Youth |
Boone County |
4.7 in 2020 |
The
child poverty rate is the rate of children under the
age of 18 who are in poverty, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. In the City of Columbia, black
children have a poverty rate almost seven times higher than white children. In Boone County, black
children have a poverty rate more than six times higher than white children.
| Our basic needs are met |
Total |
White |
Black |
| Child Poverty Rate |
City of Columbia |
15.7% in 2016-2020 |
6.3% |
44.9% |
| Boone County |
15.3% in 2016-2020 |
8.7% |
53.0% |
Infant mortality is the death of a baby before the baby’s
first birthday. The infant mortality rate is the number of deaths that occur for every 100,000 live births.
In Boone County, the infant mortality rate for black babies is two and a half times higher than the rate
for white babies. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services identifies infant mortality as
an important indicator used to measure the health and well-being of a community.
| We are healthy |
Total |
White |
Black |
| Infant Mortality |
Boone County |
588.24 per 100,000 births in 2015-2019 |
483.8 per 100,000 births |
1,169.2 per 100,000 births |
Heart disease mortality refers to the death rate by
heart disease, the leading cause of death in the state and the nation. The rate is measured per
100,000 deaths. In Boone County, black individuals are one and a half times more likely to die
from heart disease compared to white individuals.
| We are healthy |
Total |
White |
Black |
| Heart Disease Mortality |
Boone County |
143.9 per 100,000 in 2015-2019 |
139.6 per 100,000 |
211.3 per 100,000 |
Diabetes hospitalization refers to the rate of
hospitalizations with diabetes as the principal diagnosis. The rate is measured per 10,000
hospitalizations. In Boone County, the rate of diabetes hospitalization for black individuals
is over three times higher than for white individuals. According to the Missouri Department
of Health and Senior Services, diabetes is a chronic disease that can lead to serious health
complications and premature mortality.
| We are healthy |
Total |
White |
Black |
| Diabetes Hospitalization |
Boone County |
17.8 per 10,000 in 2016-2020 |
14.4 per 10,000 |
47.4 per 10,000 |
Median Family Household Income is a measure of the average
income of two or more related people living in a household. In the City of Columbia and Boone County, the median family
income for black families is just slightly more than half of the median family income for white families.
| We achieve our full potential |
Total |
White |
Black |
| Median Family Household Income |
City of Columbia |
$81,392 in 2016-2020 |
$87,551 |
$45,303 |
| Boone County |
$80,817 in 2016-2020 |
$84,863 |
$45,586 |
Third grade reading proficiency is a measure of
3
rd grade students who are proficient or advanced in English/Language Arts on the Missouri
Assessment Program (MAP) test. In Columbia Public Schools, black students are more than two
and a half times less likely to score proficient or advanced on the assessment compared to
white students. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education measures reading
at the 3
rd grade level because it is closely associated with high school graduation and
success later in life.
| We achieve our full potential |
Total |
White |
Black |
| 3rd Grade Reading Proficiency |
City of Columbia |
55.2% in 2017 |
67.7% |
25.8% |
High school graduation rate is the number of
students who graduate within four years with a high school diploma. In Columbia Public Schools,
black students graduate at a rate of almost 10% lower than white students. The Missouri Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education identifies high school graduation rates as one of the most
important indicators of a school district’s success.
| We achieve our full potential |
Total |
White |
Black |
| High School Graduation Rate |
City of Columbia |
89.1% in 2021 |
90.8% in 2021 |
81.1% in 2021 |
