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Review
. 2003 Feb;93(2):277-84.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.93.2.277.

The structuring of ethnic inequalities in health: economic position, racial discrimination, and racism

James Y Nazroo  1
Affiliations
Review

The structuring of ethnic inequalities in health: economic position, racial discrimination, and racism

James Y Nazroo. Am J Public Health. 2003 Feb.

Abstract

Differences in health across ethnic groups have been documented in the United States and the United Kingdom. The extent to which socioeconomic inequalities underlie such differences remains contested, with many instead focusing on cultural or genetic explanations. In both the United States and the United Kingdom, data limitations have greatly hampered investigations of ethnic inequalities in health. Perhaps foremost of these is the inadequate measurement of ethnicity, but also important is the lack of good data on socioeconomic position, particularly data that address life-course issues. Other elements of social disadvantage, particularly experiences of racism, are also neglected. The author reviews existing evidence and presents new evidence to suggest that social and economic inequalities, underpinned by racism, are fundamental causes of ethnic inequalities in health.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
—Ethnic differences in reported fair or bad general health by household income: 1999 Health Survey for England.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
—Impact of socioeconomic effects on ethnic differences in the reporting of fair or bad general health: 1999 Health Survey for England.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
—Impact of standard of living on ethnic inequalities in health: UK Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
—Impact of standard of living on ethnic inequalities in health: UK Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
—Impact of standard of living on ethnic inequalities in health: UK Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
—Impact of standard of living on ethnic inequalities in health: UK Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
—Impact of standard of living on ethnic inequalities in health: UK Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
—Impact of standard of living on ethnic inequalities in health: UK Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
—Impact of standard of living on ethnic inequalities in health: UK Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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