New Hampshire found to be fourth least-diverse state, study says

With Hispanic Heritage Month around the corner and women holding a record number of Fortune 500 CEO positions (still only 8.8% of the total), the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2022's Most and Least Diverse States in America as well as expert commentary.

To determine where the most idea and identity exchanges have occurred at the highest level in the U.S. - and where the population is relatively more homogeneous - WalletHub compared the 50 states across six key categories: socio-economic, cultural, economic, household, religious and political diversity.

Diversity in New Hampshire (1=Most Diverse, 25=Avg.):

• 16^th - Educational-Attainment Diversity
• 47^th - Racial & Ethnic Diversity
• 34^th - Linguistic Diversity
• 38^th - Industry Diversity*
• 40^th - Occupational Diversity*
• 31^st - Worker-Class Diversity*
• 38^th - Marital-Status Diversity
• 45^th - Household-Type Diversity
• 24^th - Household-Size Diversity
• 46^th - Religious Diversity

*Includes civilian employed population aged 16 and older

For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/most-least-diverse-states-in-america/38262

Expert Commentary

What are the pros and cons to living in a diverse state?

"The characteristics of intergroup relations in diverse states may vary. On the one hand, living in diverse states may result in great hostility. On the other hand, living in diverse states may lead to great tolerance and appreciation for difference. It is important to distinguish between diversity and integration. While states may be diverse, they may also be hyper-segregated."
Lori L. Martin - Professor, Louisiana State University

"There are many pros to living in a diverse state. Exposure to different cultures and ways of life is important. It helps people to be more well-rounded, tolerant, inclusive, and equitable. There really are not too many negatives of diversity unless people native to an area are resistant to change and cultural exposure. This is often where conflict ensues and can lead to a tense environment. Most people who migrate to an area aim to integrate and want to be accepted."
Rashawn Ray, Ph.D. - Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution

What can policymakers do to encourage integration across neighborhoods?

"Policymakers can provide resources and enforce existing laws to combat racial discrimination at every stage of the home buying process, for example."
Lori L. Martin - Professor, Louisiana State University

"Policymakers have to pay attention to changing migrant patterns. If policy changes are encouraging migrant workers and young college graduates to move to its state, policymakers must message how these shifts are positives for the state to reduce the likelihood of local residents feeling threatened by the changes. Policymakers must have cultural awareness programs as demographics shift to expose local residents to a new environment. It is also on employers to do the same."
Rashawn Ray, Ph.D. - Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution

What can local governments do to ensure health equity among minority groups?

"Local governments can begin by offering information campaigns that remind citizens that they have the political wherewithal to reject fast food restaurants that want to set up operations in the area. There should be advertising campaigns that target disadvantaged and/or minority groups to embrace only establishments that treat food as medicine one can ingest to strengthen the body. Much too often, 'healthy' restaurants desire to set up shop in affluent communities so that food prices can be increased. This practice is unfortunate, since healthy food is not, in any way, tied to ingredients that need to be expensive."
Jack Fong - Professor, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

"Health equity is central. COVID-19 has shown us how disparate health outcomes can be for people living in the same state or even across town in the same city. Access is key. The local government needs to ensure local residents have equitable access. This means thinking about the location of hospitals, encouraging healthcare companies to place clinics and pharmacies in underserved communities, and working with local organizations, churches, and community centers to meet people where they are to focus on prevention and health maintenance. This also means pushing employers to give people proper health insurance. Employer-based health insurance is the main way that people obtain healthcare coverage."
Rashawn Ray, Ph.D. - Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution