Health Insurance Lacking for More U.S. Young Adults

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The number of uninsured U.S. young adults rose again in 2006, with Hispanic and black Americans at greatest risk for lacking coverage.

A Commonwealth Fund issue brief released in May found the number of uninsured adults ages 19-29 rose to 13.7 million in 2006. Adults in that age group represent the largest and fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population without health insurance. Nearly half of uninsured young adults are white, according to the study, but Hispanics are disproportionately represented, making up 19 percent of adults ages 19-29 but 33 percent of uninsured young adults. Overall, 36 percent of black young adults and 53 percent of Hispanic young adults are …