Associations between everyday and major discrimination and health status among a diverse national sample of ten Asian ethnic subgroups

Abstract

Purpose: We examined the associations between major and everyday discrimination and self-rated health among a national sample of ten Asian ethnic subgroups, including Vietnamese, Chinese, Hmong, Cambodians, Pakistanis, Indians, Bangladeshis, Japanese, Filipinos, and Koreans.

Methods: We used data from the 2016 National Asian American Survey (n = 4427). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the associations between major and everyday discrimination and self-rated health among ten Asian ethnic subgroups, controlling for relevant sociodemographic factors.

Results: Findings showed that major discrimination was associated with higher odds of poorer self-rated health among Asians as a group. Subgroup analyses revealed that encounters with major discrimination were associated with poorer self-rated health among Vietnamese, Filipinos, Cambodians, and Hmong. Everyday discrimination was associated with poorer self-rated health only among Hmong.

Conclusion: Overall, the negative health consequences of everyday and major discrimination vary by Asian ethnic subgroup. Targeting certain forms of discrimination facing specific Asian ethnic groups is needed to reduce their risk of adverse health outcomes.

Keywords: Asian Americans; Covid-19; Discrimination; Ethnicity; Health; Race.