Impact of perceived racial discrimination on employee health: Results from the Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2010

Introduction: Employees who work in an environment where they perceive being treated worse than people of other races may experience stress that manifests physically and/or emotionally. Methods: A cross-sectional study, utilizing data from the 2010 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of employees perceiving racial discrimination at work by demographics and socioeconomic status (SES). Multivariable logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess associations between racial discrimination and general health, emotional support, and selected health risk behaviors. Results: Overall, 9% of 2,632 employees reported that they were treated worse than people of other races at work. About 57% of employed adults who perceived racial discrimination at work said it affected them physically; 53% said it affected them emotionally. Employees perceiving racial discrimination were significantly more likely to report having fair/poor health and rarely/never having emotional support. After controlling for demographics, SES, and health risk behaviors, perceiving racial discrimination at work was significantly associated with having fair/poor general health (OR: 2.48; CI: 1.33-4.63) and rarely/never having emotional support (OR: 2.79; CI: 1.27-6.12). No significant associations were found between perceived racial discrimination and health risk behaviors. Conclusion: Perceived racial discrimination at work was associated with having fair/poor general health and little emotional support. Workplace programs that prevent or reduce employee stress may provide emotional support for employees perceiving discrimination and thus help to improve their physical and emotional health.