Racial/ethnic variations in women's health: the social embeddedness of health

Am J Public Health. 2002 Apr;92(4):588-97. doi: 10.2105/ajph.92.4.588.

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the magnitude of and trends in racial/ethnic disparities in health for women in the United States. It emphasizes the importance of attending to diversity in the health profiles and populations of minority women. Socioeconomic status is a central determinant of racial/ethnic disparities in health, but several other factors, including medical care, geographic location, migration and acculturation, racism, and exposure to stress and resources also play a role. There is a need for renewed attention to monitoring, understanding, and actively seeking to eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in health.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation
  • Cause of Death
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Emigration and Immigration
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Geography
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Health Status Indicators*
  • Humans
  • Minority Groups / statistics & numerical data*
  • Prejudice
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Stress, Psychological / ethnology
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Women's Health*