Occupational segregation as a determinant of US worker health

Katherine Chung-Bridges, Carles Muntaner, Lora E. Fleming, David J. Lee, Kristopher L. Arheart, William G. LeBlanc, Sharon L. Christ, Kathryn E. McCollister, Alberto J. Caban, Evelyn P. Davila

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    32 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Background: Racial segregation provides apotential mechanism to link occupations with adverse health outcomes. Methods: An African-American segregation index (IAA) was calculated for US worker groups from the nationally representative pooled 1986-1994 National Health Interview Survey (n = 451,897). Ranking and logistic regression analyses were utilized to document associations between IAA and poor worker health. Results: There were consistent positive associations between employment in segregated occupations and poor worker health, regardless of covariate adjustment or stratification (e.g., age, gender, income, education, or geographic region). This association between segregation and poor health was stronger for White as compared to African-American workers. Conclusions: Occupational segregation negatively affects all workers. Potential mechanisms need to be identified through which occupational segregation may adversely impact worker health.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)555-567
    Number of pages13
    JournalAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine
    Volume51
    Issue number8
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2008 Aug

    Keywords

    • African-American workers
    • Health disparities
    • Occupational segregation
    • Worker health

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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