Health status and health-related behaviors among people of African origin in Canada and the United States: A cross-country comparison of racial/ethnic disparities

The health disparities/inequalities literature has consistently documented poorer outcomes among racial/ethnic minorities relative to Whites. However, studies focused specifically on Canadians of Black racial origin have been limited to date. The aim of this study is to provide much-needed nationally representative estimates of health for an understudied population in Canada, and to conduct cross-country comparisons of race-based disparities in Canada and the US. Data come from the Canadian Community Health Survey and the National Health Interview Survey. Outcomes of interest include general health status, body-mass index, health behaviors (alcohol use, smoking), and chronic conditions (asthma, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cancer). Nationally representative estimates of health-related behaviors, health status, and chronic conditions among native-born Black Canadians will be presented. These estimates will be compared with those of native-born White Canadians, as well as foreign-born Black Canadians, in order to assess the extent to which health inequalities exist between these groups. Finally, race-based disparities in the US will be presented to compare the magnitude of health disparities across countries. Adjusted prevalence period estimates will be obtained. Regression models will be developed to determine the magnitude of inequalities between groups. Estimates will be adjusted for various sociodemographic factors to account for potential confounding, including age, sex, marital status, education, household income, and employment status.