A systematic review of empirical research on self-reported racism and health

Abstract

This paper reviews 138 empirical quantitative population-based studies of self-reported racism and health. These studies show an association between self-reported racism and ill health for oppressed racial groups after adjustment for a range of confounders. The strongest and most consistent findings are for negative mental health outcomes and health-related behaviours, with weaker associations existing for positive mental health outcomes, self-assessed health status, and physical health outcomes. Most studies in this emerging field have been published in the past 5 years and have been limited by a dearth of cohort studies, a lack of psychometrically validated exposure instruments, poor conceptualization and definition of racism, conflation of racism with stress, and debate about the aetiologically relevant period for self-reported racism. Future research should examine the psychometric validity of racism instruments and include these instruments, along with objectively measured health outcomes, in existing large-scale survey vehicles as well as longitudinal studies and studies involving children. There is also a need to gain a better understanding of the perception, attribution, and reporting of racism, to investigate the pathways via which self-reported racism affects health, the interplay between mental and physical health outcomes, and exposure to intra-racial, internalized, and systemic racism. Ensuring the quality of studies in this field will allow future research to reveal the complex role that racism plays as a determinant of population health.

Perceived racial/ethnic discrimination and psychological outcomes among adult international adoptees in Finland: Moderating effects of social support and sense of coherence.

“…These findings are in line with several reviews and studies that have consistently suggested that experienced discrimination has a harmful psychological impact on those against whom it is directed (e.g., Brondolo et al, 2009b;Harrell, 2000;Harris et al, 2006: Krieger, 1999Paradies, 2006;Priest et al, 2012;Williams & Mohammed, 2009;2013a;2013b).…”

“…Numerous review articles have found that racial/ethnic discrimination contributes to variations in health risks within racial and ethnic minorities (Brondolo, Gallo, & Myers, 2009b;Paradies, 2006;Priest et al, 2012;Williams & Mohammed, 2009;2013a;2013b).…”

Retail Redlining in New York City: Racialized Access to Day-to-Day Retail Resources

“…4 Moreover, to the extent that deficits in community resources are perceived as the result of racism, residents again are at risk of negative health outcomes. 31,32 Longitudinal research is also needed to investigate whether retail redlining perpetuates disadvantage. As noted earlier, measures of retail demand may derive in part from reported behaviors, rather than expressed shopping preferences.…”

Unveiling what is said in the colombian public health journals about race and ethnicity

“…En el campo de la salud pública interesaría identificar las estructuras, los mecanismos y los procesos que crean y reproducen el racismo, afectando así la salud de las poblaciones afrodescendientes en Colombia. En otros contextos la literatura muestra que el racismo y la discriminación racial explican ciertos resultados en salud (Paradies, 2006).…”