Investigating the Relationship between Socially-Assigned Ethnicity, Racial Discrimination and Health Advantage in New Zealand

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084039
• Publication Date: 2013-12-31T22:08:32Z
• Authors: Donna M. Cormack; Ricci B. Harris; James Stanley
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Adolescent; Science; Ethnic Groups; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; Racism; 0302 clinical medicine; Population Groups; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Preventive Health Services; Ethnicity; Humans; 10. No inequality; Aged; 360; Q; R; Middle Aged; 16. Peace & justice; Cross-Sectional Studies; Socioeconomic Factors; Medicine; Female; Self Report; Prejudice; Research Article; New Zealand

Background While evidence of the contribution racial discrimination to ethnic health disparities has increased significantly, there been less research examining relationships between ascribed racial/ethnic categories and health. It hypothesized that in racially-stratified societies being assigned as belonging dominant group may be associated with advantage. This study aimed investigate associations socially-assigned ethnicity, self-identified health, consider role self-reported experience any ethnicity Methods The used data from 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey (n = 12,488), a nationally representative cross-sectional survey adults 15 years over. Racial was measured reported individual-level experiences across five domains. outcome measures examined were general psychological distress. Results identified varying levels agreement participants' ethnicities. Individuals who both self-identifying always European grouping tended have more socioeconomic advantage discrimination. also had highest odds reporting optimal self-rated lower mean These differences attenuated models adjusting for Conclusions results suggest accrues individuals self-identify are Zealand, operating part through exposure is consistent broader negative impacts racism on inequalities result inequitable distribution determinants, harm chronic stress linked discrimination, via processes consequences racialization at societal level.