African-Americans are better off today than they were 40 years ago, but still lag behind in education, health, social justice, and civic engagement.

The State of Black America report is out, and it appears that African-Americans are doing about the same as they have in previous years as the nation rises out of the Great Recession.

The annual study, for which the National Urban League conducts a detailed examination on how African-Americans and Hispanics are doing compared with their white counterparts, was first issued in 1976. The National Urban League has been tracking the progress made ever since.

Overall, things have stabilized for African-Americans since the report was first issued 40 years ago. However, the black community still lags behind in education, health, social justice, and civic engagement, showing just how incremental progress has been for African-Americans.