Growing Gap in Life Expectancy for Rich, Poor

There is a growing disparity in life expectancy for rich and poor Americans, according to government research, reports The New York Times. The study, conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, found that in 1982, the most affluent Americans could expect to live 2.8 years longer than the most deprived Americans. Now that number is up to 4.5 years. "If you look at the extremes in 2000," study author Gopal K. Singh said, "men in the most deprived counties had 10 years' shorter life expectancy than women in the most affluent counties (71.5 years versus 81.3 years)." The study also found the life expectancy between Black and white men was a disparity of more than 14 years--66.9 years compared with 81.1 years. What explains the increasing gap? Increasing income inequality, which disproportionately affects Black and Latino families, is the main cause. Read Is Black Income Declining? Our Baloney Meter Checks It Out to learn more.  

Bhutto Aide Named Prime Minister

The National Assembly, Pakistan's parliament, elected Yousaf Raza Gilani the nation's prime minister in a 264-to-42 vote, reports National Public Radio. Gilani, the former speaker and aide to Benazier Bhutto, who was assassinated in December, will be sworn in by President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday. Who was Benazir Bhutto?

Texas Landowners Battle U.S.-Mexican Border Fence

Texas landowners are fighting plans to build a border-patrol fence along the U.S.-Mexican border, reports National Public Radio (NPR). The landowners, some of whom do not speak English, have denied U.S. surveyors access to their land, while others have obtained lawyers. "It took a lot of hard work and sacrifice to build this house," Baldermero Muniz, a landowner who refused a surveyor on his land, told NPR. "We used to migrate for work every year to Michigan. One year we were able to buy the blocks, then the cement and then we were able to finally put on the roof. It took us five long years." Last week, a federal judge criticized the government's "poor negotiations with landowners" and is set to rule on several lawsuits this week.

Deported Migrants Return Despite Risks

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stepped up its efforts to deport undocumented immigrants by raiding job sites and homes. Last year, 282,548 undocumented immigrants were sent home, reports USA Today. This year, the ICE will spend $135 million, up from $100 million last year, to deport undocumented immigrants. But many deported immigrants are determined to return to the United States despite the risk of a felony conviction and the potential to face up to 20 years in prison if caught. Jose Aguliar, head of CARECEN, a migrant-advocacy network, says most deported immigrants are willing to risk imprisonment because at-home jobs are scare, and many left family behind. Read about the immigration laws in your state.

Big Law Firms Boost Parental Benefits

Big law firms are expanding their maternity leave time from 12 weeks to 18 weeks, reports ABA Journal online. Sulivan & Cromwell was the first to change its policy last July. Many other firms are also increasing the paid leave time for fathers who serve as the primary caregivers from four weeks to 10 weeks and for adoptive parents, with some firms giving 10 weeks and others 18 weeks. Read more about work/life balance in the March 2007 issue of DiversityInc magazine.

Bush to Nominate New EEOC Commissioner

President Bush will nominate Alabama attorney Constance Barker to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), reports Workplace Prof Blog. Barker, who if confirmed as a commissioner would serve until 2011, served as general counsel for the Mobile County Board of Education, but she currently works with the law firm of Capell & Howard. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and her law degree from the University of Alabama in 1977. Read why Bush's last nominee withdrew from the confirmation hearings, and why the EEOC just experienced a five-year high in discrimination charges.

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