The Measure of America: American Human Development Report, 2008-2009 (A Columbia / SSRC Book)

__The Measure of America__ is the first-ever human development report for a wealthy, developed nation. It introduces the American Human Development Index, which provides a single measure of well-being for all Americans, disaggregated by state and congressional district, as well as by gender, race, and ethnicity. The Index rankings of the 50 states and 436 congressional districts reveal huge disparities in the health, education, and living standards of different groups. Clear, precise, objective, and authoritative, this report will become the basis for all serious discussions concerning the realization of a fair, just, and globally competitive American society. Contents Boxes, Figures, Maps, and Tables Foreword by Amartya Sen Foreword by William H. Draper III Acknowledgments Executive Summary PART 1. Understanding Human Development Introduction Shared Aspirations and Values: The American Dream Capabilities in the United States Human Poverty Human Security Measuring Human Development PART 2. What the American Human Development Index Reveals Introduction Historical Trends: Forty-five Years of Human Development Progress Presenting the American Human Development Index PART 3. The Building Blocks of the HD Index A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE Introduction What Does the HD Index Show? The Many Determinants of Good Health Leading Causes of Death Essential Conditions for Good Health Health Insurance: The Policy That Unlocks Many Doors Conclusion ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE Introduction What Does the HD Index Show? How We Fare Internationally The Knowledge Journey Conclusion A DECENT STANDARD OF LIVING Introduction What Does the HD Index Show? Trends in U.S. Income and Wealth Factors That Fuel Growth in Earnings Inequality Conclusion PART 4. 8-Point Human Development Agenda Introduction For a Long and Healthy Life For Access to Knowledge For a Decent Standard of Living To Raise the American Index for States and People Left Behind PART 5. Human Development Indicators American Human Development Index Indicator Tables U.S. Indicator Tables OECD Indicator Tables References Methodological Notes Notes Glossary Bibliography Index to Indicators Maps At-A-Glance This book reveals the true story of the world's first Op Ed page, a public platform that in 1970 prefigured the Internet blogosphere. Not only did the New York Times's nonstaff bylines shatter tradition, but the pictures were revolutionary. Unlike anything ever seen in a newspaper, Op Ed art became a globally influential idiom that reached beyond narrative for metaphor and changed illustration's very purpose and potential The Measure of America is the first-ever human development report for a wealthy, developed nation. It introduces the American Human Development Index, which provides a single measure of well-being for all Americans, disaggregated by state and congressional district, as well as by gender, race, and ethnicity. --back cover.