227968 Historical Analysis of the Social Construction of Race and the Resulting Recognition of Health Disparities: Implications for People with Disabilities

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Marjorie McGee, MS , School of Social Work, Portland State University, Portland, OR
Despite nearly 100 years of discourse and debate on the issue of health disparities among black Americans, the issue did not reach the national policy agenda until 1984. This paper presents an analysis utilizing the theoretical frameworks of Rochon (1998) and Kingdon (1995) to understand what had to happen before national recognition of health inequities among minorities could be achieved. Process tracing was used to construct a historical explanation of events leading to the release of the 1985 “Report of the Secretary's Task Force on Black & Minority Health” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1985, p. v). Findings suggest that a change in the social construction of race was required before a change in the construction of racial health disparities could be achieved, and that the change in the conception of race took place in two waves. Implications for achieving similar recognition of health inequities among people with disabilities are discussed.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Name and describe the key components of a theoretical framework linking Kingdon’s policy streams to a cultural change model. Describe how policy changes can lead the way, via rapid cultural changes, to further policy changes, in the context of health, health disparities, and people with disabilities. Name one strategy, based upon the historical analysis, which could help to gain recognition of health disparities experienced by PWD through the social determinants of health lens.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I designed and conducted this original historical research using process tracing methodology commonly used in historical sociology works.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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