Background: The field of aging studies continues to better understand between-racial-group health disparities. Previous work provides empirical evidence for a statistical relationship between perceived discrimination and adverse health across all age groups. Specific Aim: We contribute to the literature by investigating the quantitative relationship between Perceived Ethnic Discrimination (PED), Self-Rated Physical Health (SR-PH), Self-Rated Mental Health (SR-MH), and their combined score (SR-PH-MH). Setting & Design:The cross-sectional observational study used data collected between 2002 and 2004 from the National Latino and Asian American Study (n=4,559; average age=41; 54% female; 18% Mexican; 36% Non-Mexican Latinos; 12% Chinese; 31% Non-Chinese Asians). We provide descriptive statistics for those below and at or above age 65. Results: Multivariable linear models adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, education, body mass index, and neighborhood perception provide evidence that although a small effect, PED explains between-people variance in SR-PH (β=-0.01; α=0.001), SR-MH (β=-0.03; α=0.001), and SR-PH-MH (β=-0.04; α=0.001). Conclusions: The analysis supports arguments that PED has a non-random association with health. As we continue to explore novel measures of frailty, markers of social stress should be considered.
Unfair Treatment, Racial/Ethnic Discrimination, Ethnic Identification, and Smoking Among Asian Americans in the National Latino and Asian American Study
