Racial/ethnic variation in functional and self-reported health.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether racial/ethnic health disparities exist in Canada and whether socioeconomic or behavioral differences between racial/ ethnic minorities and nonminorities account for such disparities.


METHODS
We used data from the National Population Health Survey, conducted by Statistics Canada in 1996 and 1997. We used regression models to examine differences in functional and self-reported health.


RESULTS
Our study found no association between socioeconomic or behavioral differences and racial/ethnic health disparities. There was no clear pattern between racial/ethnic minority status and health.


CONCLUSIONS
The state can play an important role in health outcomes, and public commitment to accessible health care may explain why socioeconomic status and health behaviors are weak indicators of racial/ethnic health variation in Canada.
Wu
Zheng
Z
Dept of Sociology, University of Victoria, PO Box 3050, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3P5 Canada. zhengwu@uvic.ca
Schimmele
Christoph M
CM
D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012923:Social Class