The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

4191.0: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 2:54 PM

Abstract #57741

Implications of community resources for socioeconomic and racial differentials in mortality

Aimée R. Dechter, PhD, Hyunjoon Park, MA, and Huey-Chi Chang, MA. Department of Sociology/Center for Demography and Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 4412 Social Science Building, 1180 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706

Causes of racial and socioeconomic differentials in health may be due to disparities in the availability and quality of community resources and services, as well as biological, behavioral, environmental, and social factors. We examine the role of selected resources, services, and mean population behavioral characteristics in these health differentials. We estimate a multi-level model of age-standardized sex-specific county-level mortality rates. Explanatory variables include resources (e.g., the number of primary care physicians and hospitals per capita) and behaviors (e.g., prevalence of smoking and obesity) that may be disproportionately distributed across counties on the basis of socioeconomic status and racial composition. We also include a set of services, such as primary care programs (e.g., community health centers and federally qualified health center look-alikes), that are directed at these populations and may mediate their health disadvantage. We compile data for all counties in the U.S. Few nationally representative studies have included specific factors that account for socioeconomic and racial differentials. Most focus solely on population characteristics (e.g., average income in county, proportion unemployed, out-of-wedlock childbearing rate, etc.) and do not identify mechanisms through which these population characteristics operate to affect health and mortality. Moreover, these studies have not explored mediating factors, whereas our study focuses on specific services and means-tested state support which have implications for policy and intervention.

Learning Objectives:

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Addressing Social, Linguistic and Cultural Barriers to Accessing Health Care

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA