Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2008):

Perceived discrimination in health care and health status in a racially diverse sample.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Despite the surge of recent research on the association between perceived discrimination and health-related outcomes, few studies have focused on race-based discrimination encountered in health care settings. This study examined the prevalence of such discrimination, and its association with health status, for the 3 largest race/ethnic groups in the United States.

METHODS:
Data were drawn from the 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. The primary variables were perceived racial discrimination in health care and self-reported health status. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare the prevalence of perceived discrimination for whites, African Americans, and Hispanics, and to examine the association between perceived discrimination and health status, controlling for sex, age, income, education, health care coverage, affordability of medical care, racial salience, and state.

RESULTS:
Perceived discrimination was reported by 2%, 5.2%, and 10.9% of whites, Hispanics, and African Americans, respectively. Only the difference between African Americans and whites remained significant in adjusted analyses [odds ratio (OR) = 3.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.46-4.21]. Racial/ethnic differences in perceived discrimination depended on income, education, health care coverage, and affordability of medical care. Perceived discrimination was associated with worse health status for the overall sample (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.35-2.16). Stratified analyses revealed that this relationship was significant for whites (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.45-2.77) and African Americans (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.39-2.73), but not for Hispanics (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.24-1.22).

CONCLUSIONS:
Perceived racial discrimination in health care is much more prevalent for African Americans than for whites or Hispanics. Furthermore, such discrimination is associated with worse health both for African Americans and for whites.

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Author information

Author/s: Hausmann, Leslie R M (LR); Jeong, Kwonho (K); Bost, James E (JE); Ibrahim, Said A (SA);

Affiliation: VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206, USA. leslie.hausmann(-atsign-)gmail.com

Grants: 1K24AR055259-01 (Agency:United States NIAMS) ; RR024153 (Agency:United States NCRR)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: Medical care (Med Care), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Sep; vol 46 (issue 9) : pp 905-14

Dates: Created 2008/08/26; Completed 2008/09/04;

PMID: 18725844, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult African Americans - psychology; statistics & numerical data Age Factors Aged Cross-Sectional Studies Culture European Continental Ancestry Group - psychology; statistics & numerical data Female Health Services Research Health Status

Health Status Healthcare Disparities Hispanic Americans - psychology; statistics & numerical data Humans Insurance Coverage - statistics & numerical data Male Middle Aged Odds Ratio Prejudice Sex Factors United States

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