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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

David H. Chae, MA¹, David T. Takeuchi, PhD², Elizabeth Barbeau, ScD¹, Gary Bennett, PhD¹, Jane Lindsey, ScD³, and Nancy Krieger, PhD¹. (1) Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, (206) 685-0560, hchae@hsph.harvard.edu, (2) School of Social Work, University of Washington, 4101 15th Ave NE, Box 354900, Seattle, WA 98105, (3) Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, 651 Huntington Ave, FXB-617, Boston, MA 02115

Previous studies suggest that experiences of unfair treatment and racial/ethnic discrimination have a negative impact on health. However, most US studies have focused only on Black Americans, and few have examined factors that may be protective, such as racial/ethnic group affiliation. In this study, we examine unfair treatment, racial/ethnic discrimination, and racial/ethnic group affiliation in relation to risk of smoking among Asian Americans (N = 2073) using data from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS; 2002-2003). In separate multivariate regression analyses, the risk of being a current versus never smoker was: (a) higher among participants who reported high versus no unfair treatment (odds ratio [OR] = 3.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.60, 7.22), and lower among participants who reported high versus low levels of racial/ethnic group affiliation (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.28, 0.96); and (b) higher among participants who reported high versus no racial/ethnic discrimination (OR = 6.34, 95% CI = 2.39, 16.87), and lower among participants who reported high versus low levels of racial/ethnic group affiliation (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.27, 0.91). Models were adjusted for ethnicity, age, gender, socioeconomic position, nativity, and other key socio-demographic variables. Results highlight the deleterious influence of unfair treatment and racial/ethnic discrimination on risk of smoking among Asian Americans and also suggest that greater affiliation with one's group may be protective. These findings are relevant to research on and advocacy to address social disparities in smoking.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the attendee will be able to

• Describe selected pathways through which unfair treatment, racial/ethnic discrimination, and racial/ethnic group affiliation may impact health.
• Describe how unfair treatment, racial/ethnic discrimination, and racial/ethnic group affiliation are associated with smoking among Asian Americans.
• Discuss implications for researchers and advocates in addressing racial/ethnic inequalities in health.

Keywords: Asian Americans, Smoking

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation