California And The Changing American Narrative On Diversity, Race, And Health

The historical narrative on diversity, race, and health would predict that California's population change from 22 percent racial/ethnic minority in 1970 to 62 percent in 2016 would lead to a massive health crisis with high mortality rates, low life expectancy, and high infant mortality rates-particularly given the state's high rates of negative social determinants of health: poverty, high school incompletion, and uninsurance. We present data that suggest an alternative narrative: In spite of these negative factors, California has very low rates of mortality and infant mortality and long life expectancy. This alternative implies that racial diversity may offer opportunities for good health outcomes and that community agency may be a positive determinant. Using national-level mortality data on racial/ethnic groups, we suggest that new theoretical models and methods be developed to assist the US in achieving high-level wellness as it too becomes "majority minority."