Open AccessRacial/Ethnic Variations in Women's Health: The Social Embeddedness of Health
Author(s) -
David R. Williams
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.92.4.588
Subject(s) - ethnic group , socioeconomic status , health equity , race and health , acculturation , racism , embeddedness , social determinants of health , health care , diversity (politics) , medicine , gerontology , environmental health , sociology , political science , gender studies , population , anthropology , law
This article provides an overview of the magnitude of and trends in racial/ethnic disparities in health for women in the United States. It emphasizes the importance of attending to diversity in the health profiles and populations of minority women. Socioeconomic status is a central determinant of racial/ethnic disparities in health, but several other factors, including medical care, geographic location, migration and acculturation, racism, and exposure to stress and resources also play a role. There is a need for renewed attention to monitoring, understanding, and actively seeking to eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in health.