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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Katherine Chung-Bridges, MD, MPH¹, Lora E. Fleming, MD, PhD², David Lee, PhD², William G. LeBlanc, PhD², Kristopher L. Arheart, EdD², Sharon L. Christ, MS³, Alberto J. Caban-Martinez, MPH², and Terry Pitman, BA². (1) Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016700 (R-700), Miami, FL 33101, 305-243-2845, kchung@med.miami.edu, (2) Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine - NIOSH Research Group, 1801 NW 9th Avenue, Rm 208-B, Highland Professional Building, Miami, FL 33136, (3) Odum Institute for Research in Social Science & Department of Sociology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB#3355, UNC-CH, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Objectives: Patterns of racial segregation in jobs are as yet unexamined as a potential mechanism linking occupation with health outcomes.

Methods: Using National Center for Health Statistics' (NCHS) National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data for years 1986-1994, a segregation index (I_AA) was created for each occupation, representing the percentage of African Americans in the particular occupational group. A correlation matrix, multivariable logistic regression, and occupational group rankings, were utilized to examine the association between I_AA and subjective health.

Results: There was a negative correlation between I_AA and the variables subjective health (-0.66), income (-0.59), and education (-0.47).

There was a consistent, positive association between I_AA and poor health, regardless of adjustment for age, education, income, race, or gender (range: OR 1.021 [95% CI 1.015, 1.028] to OR 1.041 [95 % CI 1.039, 1.043]).

The occupational groups with the worst subjective health ratings had the highest I_AA values (Private household cleaners and servants; Maids and housemen; Laundering and dry cleaning machine operators; and Nursing aids, orderlies, and attendants). Concomitantly, the two occupational groups with the best subject health ratings had low values of I_AA (Dentists, and Airplane pilots and navigators).

Discussion: I_AA among US worker occupations was associated with increased reporting of poor health. Occupational segregation may be an important factor associated with the health risks of particular occupations.

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

• Describe the relationship between occupational segregation and subjective health.
• Identify methods used to examine the association between occupational segregation and subjective health.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Occupational Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered