Gender discrimination in the United States: Experiences of women

Abstract

Objective To examine reported experiences of gender discrimination and harassment among US women. Data Source and Study Design Data come from a nationally representative, probability‐based telephone survey of 1596 women, conducted January‐April 2017. Methods We calculated the percentages of women reporting gender discrimination and harassment in several domains, including health care. We used logistic regression to examine variation in experiences among women by race/ethnicity and sexual orientation/gender identity. Principal Findings Sizable fractions of women experience discrimination and harassment, including discrimination in health care (18 percent), equal pay/promotions (41 percent), and higher education (20 percent). In adjusted models, Native American, black, and Latina women had higher odds than white women of reporting gender discrimination in several domains, including health care. Latinas’ odds of health care avoidance versus whites was (OR [95% CI]) 3.69 (1.59, 8.58), while blacks’ odds of discrimination in health care visits versus whites was 2.00 [1.06, 3.74]. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) women had higher odds of reporting sexual harassment (2.16 [1.06, 4.40]) and violence (2.71 [1.43, 5.16]) against themselves or female family members than non‐LGBTQ women. Conclusions Results suggest that discrimination and harassment are widely experienced by women across multiple domains of their lives, particularly those who are a racial/ethnic minority or LGBTQ. Further policy and programmatic efforts beyond current legal protections for women are needed to meaningfully reduce these negative experiences, as they impact women's health care and their lives overall.

Discrimination in the United States: Experiences of Native Americans

“…In addition, because we specifically asked about racial discrimination, and because many forms of discrimination (including sexual harassment and violence) are often underreported, the “true” rate of Native Americans' experiences with discrimination is likely higher than our estimates. For example, in this issue SteelFisher et al explore the high rates of gender discrimination experienced among Native women. Given this, our findings may subject to underreporting and thus may be considered a lower bound estimate of discrimination and harassment against Native Americans in the United States today.…”

“…In addition, because we specifically asked about racial discrimination, and because many forms of discrimination (including sexual harassment and violence) are often underreported, the "true" rate of Native Americans' experiences with discrimination is likely higher than our estimates. For example, in this issue SteelFisher et al 46…”

Public opinion on sharing data from health services for clinical and research purposes without explicit consent: an anonymous online survey in the UK

“…Similar results have been observed before, 46 but not always; 58 59 one reason might be gender-based healthcare discrimination. 60 Higher support for research sharing in Wales may relate to established national research systems there; 61 62 the reasons for reduced willingness in Scotland are unclear, but similar systems there are younger. 63 Those with personal experience of MH illness were less willing to share identifiable MH data for direct care.…”

Should Clinical Guidelines Incorporate Cost Pathways for Persons With Financial Hardship?

“…11,12,13 Poverty is often racialized or gendered, strengthening the biases that harm persons of color, women, and the poor. 12,36,37,38,39 The ethical concerns described here are predicated on understanding poverty or financial hardship as an individual characteristic warranting individual intervention. Alternatively, poverty can be understood as being rooted in the socioeconomic systemas being a feature of the economy and the degree of social cohesion.…”