This UK-based study used data from the 2005 Citizenship Survey to identify self-reported experiences of racism that vary by socio-demographic characteristics; to explore the association between health and racism and its contribution to ethnic inequalities in health; and to explore how gender, age, ethnicity and socio-economic position (SEP) moderate the relationship between racism and health. Females were significantly more likely to report fear of racial and religious attacks, but reported lower odds of experiencing employment and expected organisational discrimination. A trend was observed for decreasing employment discrimination as SEP decreased. A reverse association was found for SEP and expected organisational discrimination, where people in the lowest employment categories reported lower odds of experiencing discrimination. The detrimental impact of racism on health was the same across socio-demographic groups.
As Papārangi Reid, Bridget Robson and others have always argued, social markers (such as level of deprivation or defined in this paper as socio-economic position) do not fully explain ethnic differences in health – Māori women in the least deprived decile have significantly higher mortality rates and lower life expectancy than non- Māori women living in the most deprived neighborhoods. The results here support this argument; although the type of racism may differ across SEP, the health impact remains the same. Going further, interventions to address racism may need to be tailored for different social environments.
Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood
Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.
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