Panel II: Macrosocial and environmental influences on minority health.

Abstract

Ethnic minority populations show patterns of health, health care use, and mortality that differ from the overall U.S. population. Each of the broad groups of minorities (Asian Hispanic, Native, and African Americans) has a unique background of sociocultural factors that influence these patterns. Thus, the larger social environment for ethnic populations, including political, environmental, historical, and economic factors, is a major variable in possible health outcomes. The individual portions in this panel report of the conference seek to identify such factors for each ethnic group and to suggest those macrosocial influences that are most important for observed health effects.

Challenges to the recognition and assessment of Alzheimer's disease in American Indians of the southwestern United States

“…Most cognitive tests are influenced by education, and many show a correlation with socioeconomic factors. Some investigators have suggested that poverty, "institutionalized racism" [17], and the restricted exposure to health care systems might affect treatment and prevention [36]. Although these factors might lead to AIs being falsely identified as cognitively impaired when they are not, there is also a risk that if practitioners believe that AIs are prone to lower test scores because of cultural or demographic factors, they might disregard signs of dementia when a disease is truly present.…”

Are multiracial adolescents at greater risk? Comparisons of rates, patterns, and correlates of substance use and violence between monoracial and multiracial adolescents.

“…Although the effects of these societal factors on multiracial youth outcomes have been postulated, there is a paucity of research examining these claims (Anderson & Armstead, 1995;K. Johnson et al, 1995).…”

“…Both majority and ethnic minority groups may reject multiracial youths, and such social marginality can place multiracial youths at higher risk for delinquent behavior and substance use (Deters, 1997;Gibbs, 1989;Gibbs & Moskowitz-Sweet, 1991). Further, some youths may have to compromise their values and interests to be accepted by a peer group or get involved in negative activities to enhance their social desirability (Gibbs & Moskowitz-Sweet, 1991).Although the effects of these societal factors on multiracial youth outcomes have been postulated, there is a paucity of research examining these claims (Anderson & Armstead, 1995;K. Johnson et al, 1995).…”

English Language Proficiency Among Older Hispanics in the United States

“…Research shows that poor English proficiency is a potential barrier to obtaining social and medical services (Hart et al, 1996;Johnson et al, 1995;Saldov, 1991;Tanjasiri et al, 1995), to employment, and to educational attainment (Stevens, 1992). Espino, Bedolla, Perez, and Baker (1996) show that the psychological assessment of depression among older Mexican Americans is compromised by language barriers and the lack of Spanish-language screening instruments.…”