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The Growing Diversity of the U.S. Workforce

The U.S. Census Bureau projects that race-based minorities including Hispanics, African Americans and Asians, which currently represent one-third of the U.S. population, will become a majority in 2042. The working-age population is projected to become more than 50 percent minority in 2039 (up from 34 percent in 2008). By 2050, the working-age population in the United States is projected to be:

• More than 30 percent Hispanic (up from 15 percent in 2008);
• 15 percent black (up from 13 percent in 2008); and
• 9.6 percent Asian (up from 5.3 percent in 2008).

Employers need to be aware of these demographic shifts and to understand that in this new environment, a "one-size-fits-all" approach to employee health benefits will not be effective.

In 2009, The National Business Group on Health released "Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities: A Business Case Update for Employers."

Ensuring equal health care for all members of today's workforce is imperative. But the issues are complex, and achieving success will require an active strategy, rather than a reactive approach. Waiting until health problems created by disparities occur and ignoring health care disparities, rather than addressing them in advance, will be costly to the employer and less ideal for the employee.

This Issue Brief will:

• Explore key causes of health disparities in the U.S. and its workforce.
• Make a case for why it is more important than ever for employers to address disparities in health and health care; and
• Present steps employers can take to address health disparities