Experiences of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination Are Associated with Food Insecurity and Poor Health

Bibliographic Data

ID15469692
AuthorsPam Phojanakong (0000-0001-9747-2597, Drexel University), Emily Brown Weida (0000-0002-8290-5262, Drexel University), Gabriella Grimaldi (Drexel University), Félice Lê-Scherban (0000-0003-1920-724X, Drexel University), Mariana Chilton (0000-0003-3047-7136, Drexel University, corresponding author)
Year2019
Volume16
Issue22
Pages4369-4369
Publication date2019-11-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph16224369
PMID31717419
OpenAlexW2982878714
LanguageEN
Citations received26
References cited47

This study examines the associations of mothers' experiences of discrimination (EODs) with household food insecurity (HFI), physical health, and depressive symptoms, while taking into account the influence of mothers' Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and public assistance participation. Mothers (N = 1372) of young children under age 4 who self-identified as Latinx, Non-Latinx Black/African American and Non-Latinx white answered questions for a cross-sectional survey in an emergency room in a large children's hospital in Philadelphia between 2016 and 2018. Logistic regression was used to model associations of EODs in specific settings with HFI, depressive symptoms, and physical health. Compared to those without EODs, mothers with EODs from police/courts and in workplaces had higher odds of HFI, AOR =2.04 (95% CI: 1.44-2.89) and AOR = 1.57 (95% CI: 1.18-2.11), respectively. Among Latinx mothers, EODs in school were associated with nearly 60% higher odds of HFI and nearly 80% higher odds of depressive symptoms. Latinx and Black mothers with EODs in workplaces had higher odds of HFI (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.21-2.56 and AOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.05-2.36, respectively), compared to mothers without EODs. Discrimination is associated with HFI, depressive symptoms, and poor health. Public health interventions intended to improve food security and health may be only partially effective without simultaneously addressing racism and discrimination

Environmental health · Ethnic group · Food insecurity · Food security · Geography · Injury prevention · Logistic regression · Occupational safety and health · Odds · Odds ratio · Poison control · Political science · Public health · Sociology · Suicide prevention · Demography · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology

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