Adverse Race Experiences and Social Determinants of Health in Georgia, 2022
Abstract
Introduction: Social determinants of health (SDOH) and perceived racial discrimination influences individual health. This study describes SDOH and adverse race experiences to facilitate health equity related intervention in Georgia. Methods: The 2022 GA-BRFSS Reactions to Race and SDOH Modules were analyzed using SAS. Prevalence rates were used to compare survey responses by race/ethnicity. Results: SDOH disparities were evident among race/ethnic groups. Hispanics (20%, 95% CI: 14.8-26.4) and NH Blacks (16.8%, 95% CI: 14.2-9.7) reported more housing affordability challenges than NH Whites (7.6%, 95% CI: 6.5-8.9). NH Blacks (10%, 95% CI: 8.1-12.7) faced utility service threats more than others. Hispanics (25.2%, 95% CI: 19.7-38.8) and NH Blacks (21.9%, 95% CI: 19.0-25.2) reported inadequate food access compared to NH Whites (10.3%, 95% CI: 9.0-11.7) with more NH Blacks (20.8%, 95% CI: 18.0-23.9) receiving governmental food assistance than Hispanics (12%, 95% CI: 8.5-16.7) and NH Whites (7.9%, 95% CI: 6.9-9.1). Hispanics (13.5%, 95% CI: 9.1-9.6) and NH Blacks (13.2%, 95% CI: 10.7-16.2) lacked reliable transportation compared to NH Whites 5.9% (95% CI: 4.9-7.0). Hispanics (17.4%, 95% CI: 12.9-23.2) and NH Blacks (14.7%, 95% CI: 12.2-17.7) experienced more job losses and reduced hours compared to NH Whites (8.1%, 95% CI: 7.0-9.3). NH Blacks reported significant impacts from perceived racial discrimination including frequent race-related thoughts (50.9%, 95% CI: 46.9-54.8); workplace (17.9%, 95% CI: 14.1-22.3) and healthcare (12.3%, 95% CI: 9.8-15.2) mistreatment compared to NH Whites (15.9%; 95% CI: 14.4-17.5), (3.6% ;95% CI: 5.2-7.5), and (2%; 95% CI: 1.5-2.7) respectively. More NH Blacks (9.8%, 95% CI: 7.6-12.4) experienced physical health symptoms related to racism compared to NH Whites (3%, 95% CI: 2.3-3.9). Conclusion: SDOH disparities exists among race/ethnic groups. Perceived racial discrimination and experiencing physical health symptoms due to race were evident in NH Blacks. Thus, understanding SDOH including perceived racism is critical for improving health equity in Georgia.
Keywords
Health Equity, Epidemiology, BRFSS
Adverse Race Experiences and Social Determinants of Health in Georgia, 2022
Introduction: Social determinants of health (SDOH) and perceived racial discrimination influences individual health. This study describes SDOH and adverse race experiences to facilitate health equity related intervention in Georgia. Methods: The 2022 GA-BRFSS Reactions to Race and SDOH Modules were analyzed using SAS. Prevalence rates were used to compare survey responses by race/ethnicity. Results: SDOH disparities were evident among race/ethnic groups. Hispanics (20%, 95% CI: 14.8-26.4) and NH Blacks (16.8%, 95% CI: 14.2-9.7) reported more housing affordability challenges than NH Whites (7.6%, 95% CI: 6.5-8.9). NH Blacks (10%, 95% CI: 8.1-12.7) faced utility service threats more than others. Hispanics (25.2%, 95% CI: 19.7-38.8) and NH Blacks (21.9%, 95% CI: 19.0-25.2) reported inadequate food access compared to NH Whites (10.3%, 95% CI: 9.0-11.7) with more NH Blacks (20.8%, 95% CI: 18.0-23.9) receiving governmental food assistance than Hispanics (12%, 95% CI: 8.5-16.7) and NH Whites (7.9%, 95% CI: 6.9-9.1). Hispanics (13.5%, 95% CI: 9.1-9.6) and NH Blacks (13.2%, 95% CI: 10.7-16.2) lacked reliable transportation compared to NH Whites 5.9% (95% CI: 4.9-7.0). Hispanics (17.4%, 95% CI: 12.9-23.2) and NH Blacks (14.7%, 95% CI: 12.2-17.7) experienced more job losses and reduced hours compared to NH Whites (8.1%, 95% CI: 7.0-9.3). NH Blacks reported significant impacts from perceived racial discrimination including frequent race-related thoughts (50.9%, 95% CI: 46.9-54.8); workplace (17.9%, 95% CI: 14.1-22.3) and healthcare (12.3%, 95% CI: 9.8-15.2) mistreatment compared to NH Whites (15.9%; 95% CI: 14.4-17.5), (3.6% ;95% CI: 5.2-7.5), and (2%; 95% CI: 1.5-2.7) respectively. More NH Blacks (9.8%, 95% CI: 7.6-12.4) experienced physical health symptoms related to racism compared to NH Whites (3%, 95% CI: 2.3-3.9). Conclusion: SDOH disparities exists among race/ethnic groups. Perceived racial discrimination and experiencing physical health symptoms due to race were evident in NH Blacks. Thus, understanding SDOH including perceived racism is critical for improving health equity in Georgia.
