Black, White, Black and White: mixed race and health in Canada

Veenstra, Gerry

doi:10.1080/13557858.2017.1315374

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 27 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This study adds to the literature by including analysis of multiple ethnic minority groups, including White and other racial/ethnic subgroups often excluded due to a focus on sizeable minority communities in the USA. This focus comes at the expense of Middle Eastern populations, categorized as White in the US Census, who experience discrimination and consequent negative mental health outcomes 10 , as well as mixed-race individuals also experiencing discrimination 28 . Both racial/ethnic and non-racial/ethnic discrimination can be associated with worse mental health 14 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Worse Mental Health Among More-Acculturated and Younger Immigrants Experiencing Discrimination: California Health Interview Survey, 2015–2016

Saadi

Ponce²

2019

J GEN INTERN MED

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BACKGROUND: Experiences of discrimination harm mental and physical health, with the strongest penalty on mental health. Among immigrants, it remains unclear how acculturation-the process by which immigrants acquire the beliefs and practices of a host culture-influences the mental health burden of navigating discrimination. On the one hand, acculturation can be associated with upward social mobility. Conversely, the acculturative process may increase exposure to, and recognition of, discrimination. OBJECTIVES: We examined the relationship between discrimination and mental illness across racial/ethnic groups, and pathways by which acculturation and age relate to the discrimination-mental health relationship. DESIGN: A secondary data analysis using population data from the 2015-2016 California Health Interview Survey. MAIN MEASURES: The Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale (K6) assessed symptoms of psychological distress, with K6 score ≥ 13 associated with severe mental illness. Discrimination was measured using a self-reported measure of lifetime experience of unfair treatment in getting medical care. We used a 5-point acculturation index (constructed by measures of nativity, years living in the USA, and home language use). A weighted logistic regression model predicted mental illness as a function of discrimination. We ran mediational analysis using the Karlson-Holm-Breen method and used predictive margins to present predicted probabilities of mental illness for people reporting discrimination at different acculturation and age levels. KEY RESULTS: There were independent effects on mental illness associated with increased discrimination (OR 3.85, 95% CI = 2.46, 6.03, p < 0.001) and increased acculturation (OR 1.72, 95% CI = 1.24, 2.38, p = 0.001), including when stratified across racial/ethnic groups. Higher levels of acculturation led to a significant increase in discrimination's association with mental illness. There was a higher probability of mental illness in younger age groups than in older age groups. CONCLUSIONS: While discrimination is associated with poor mental health, a stronger link between discrimination and mental illness exists among younger immigrants and immigrants with increased acculturation. Health practitioners should not overlook the mental health needs of younger immigrants and immigrants who may seem more integrated into US society.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Worse Mental Health Among More-Acculturated and Younger Immigrants Experiencing Discrimination: California Health Interview Survey, 2015–2016

Saadi

Ponce²

2019

J GEN INTERN MED

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Recent work in Canada has demonstrated discriminatory practices reminiscent of disparities in the US healthcare system (Nnorom et al, 2019 ; Veenstra & Patterson, 2016 ). Black Canadians face systemic barriers in accessing healthcare and are predisposed to worse health outcomes compared to White Canadians due to a host of socioeconomic factors including accessible education, available occupation, affordable housing, and scarcity of resources (Veenstra, 2019 ; Veenstra & Patterson, 2016 ). Black patients and other marginalized populations can experience discrimination at any point accessing care whether this be overt racism or an under prioritization of their needs.…”

Section: Racial Inequities In Healthcarementioning

confidence: 99%

Taking Initiative in Addressing Diversity in Medicine

Saddler

Adams

Robinson

et al. 2021

Can. J. Sci. Math. Techn. Educ.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The existence of systemic racism in Canadian healthcare, among other determinants including accessible education, available occupation, and affordable housing, contributes to the racial divide in treatment and poor health outcomes for Black communities. Recent promising work has demonstrated patient-physician racial concordance in populations of colour as a potential area of focus for addressing health inequities for diverse communities. The impact of shared cultural experiences and cultural competency leads to mutual respect, trust, and improved communication between patients and physicians guiding their care. This approach is dependent on the availability of physicians of colour and similarly other healthcare providers. The Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto has attempted to address the deficit in its own community through a two-pronged approach: mentorship through the Community of Support (COS) and the Summer Mentorship Program (SMP), and the implementation of the Black Student Application Program (BSAP). These initiatives have significantly increased Black medical student representation and continue to have considerable impact on Black communities in the surrounding area. Through partnerships with community organizations that support the ethos of these programs, the vision of a more culturally diverse physician workforce in Canada has been reinforced. The adoption of similar programs across Canadian medical schools can lead to better representation within medicine and help contribute to a necessary culture shift within the ranks of medical institutions. These are critical steps in laying the foundation for a medical education grounded in equity, excellence, and strength in diversity, and a healthcare system that truly provides patient-centred care.

show abstract

“…However, access to psychological therapies is a notable exception, 'mixed' categories having amongst the highest referral rates. Veenstra (2017) found that respondents who identified as both Black and White were more likely than White and Black respondents to report fair or poor mental health, while some US research indicates that multiracial youth have higher levels of mental health issues (Fisher et al, 2014).…”

Section: Discussion and Implications For Health Policymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, such patterns may not be consistent but vary according to which particular dimension of health (for example, use of services, health behaviours, health conditions, or outcomes of treatment) is the focus. To date no systematic attempt has been made to investigate or narratively review how the growing 'mixed' population in Britain might shape health patterns and require specific health policies, though such research has been undertaken in the USA and Canada (Bratter and Mason 2016;Veenstra 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%