From Politics to Parity

Using a Health Disparities Index to Guide Legislative Efforts for Health Equity

Bibliographic Data

ID11020009
AuthorsBryant Cameron Webb (Bryant Cameron Webb is an MD candidate at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, and a JD candidate at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, IL. Kristen G. Hairston, MD, MPH, is with the Section on Endocrinology and Metabolism at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Sean L. Simpson, PhD, is with the Department of Biostatistical Sciences at Wake Forest University Health Science's Division of Public Health Sciences.), Sean L Simpson (0000-0002-9594-0569, Bryant Cameron Webb is an MD candidate at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, and a JD candidate at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, IL. Kristen G. Hairston, MD, MPH, is with the Section on Endocrinology and Metabolism at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Sean L. Simpson, PhD, is with the Department of Biostatistical Sciences at Wake Forest University Health Science's Division of Public Health Sciences.), Kristen G Hairston (Bryant Cameron Webb is an MD candidate at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, and a JD candidate at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, IL. Kristen G. Hairston, MD, MPH, is with the Section on Endocrinology and Metabolism at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Sean L. Simpson, PhD, is with the Department of Biostatistical Sciences at Wake Forest University Health Science's Division of Public Health Sciences.)
Year2011
Volume101
Issue3
Pages554-560
Publication date2011-03-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.2009.171157
PMID21233445
PMCIDPMC3036688
OpenAlexW2039722056
LanguageEN
References cited2

Objectives. We created an index quantifying the longitudinal burden of racial health disparities by state and compared this index to variables to guide the construction of, and validate support for, legislative efforts aimed at eliminating health disparities. Methods. We evaluated 5 focus areas of greatest racial disparities in health from 1999 to 2005 and compiled state health disparities index (HDI) scores. We compared these scores with variables representing the purported social determinants of health. Results. Massachusetts (0.35), Oklahoma (0.35), and Washington (0.39) averaged the fewest disparities. Michigan (1.22), Wisconsin (1.32), and Illinois (1.50) averaged the greatest disparities. The statistical reference point for nationwide average racial disparities was 1.00. The longitudinal mixed model procedure yielded statistically significant correlations between HDI scores and Black state population percentage as well as with the racial gap in uninsured percentages. We noted a trend for HDI correlations with median household income ratios. Conclusions. On the basis of the HDI-established trends in the extent and distribution of racial health disparities, and their correlated social determinants of health, policymakers should consider incorporating this tool to advise future efforts in minority health legislation

Environmental health · Equity (law) · Geography · Health equity · Legislature · Political science · Population · Public health · Social determinants of health · Sociology · Cultural Competency in Health Care · Demography · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Racial and Ethnic Identity Research · Gerontology

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