Latinos Poorer Than Other Groups but Have Drive to Succeed, Study Says

Although Latinos in Los Angeles are often poorer and less educated than other groups, the community’s strong family structure, vigorous work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit mark it as a source of stability and economic growth in a city undergoing rapid changes.

These are among the central conclusions of a report released Thursday by the Latino Coalition for a New Los Angeles, an advocacy group formed after the spring riots. The report is designed to counter stereotypes about Latinos and recommend development strategies.

“Latinos are community builders, not destroyers; givers not takers,” said David Lizarraga, one of a number of coalition members who unveiled the study’s results during a news conference outside City Hall.

Analyzing census data, the authors depict a fast-growing population that, although poor, exhibits high levels of employment, home ownership and business involvement.

The study is largely based on analysis of 1990 Census data, which showed that Latinos represent about 38% of Los Angeles County’s population, compared to 41% for non-Latino whites and 10% each for African-Americans and Asian-Americans.

Some of the findings:

* Most Latinos are not poor. However, generally low pay for many Latino wage earners means there are more poor Latinos in Los Angeles County than poor blacks, Asians and non-Latino whites combined.

* Latinos generally have healthy babies, low infant mortality, long life expectancy and low death rates. Paradoxically, they receive the least amount of medical care, are often uninsured and suffer disproportionately from basic communicable diseases--such as tuberculosis.

* Latino adults have generally completed fewer years of school than other adults. But this is attributable to limited educational opportunities--not a lack of interest.