Occupational segregation as a determinant of US worker health.
BACKGROUND
Racial segregation provides a potential mechanism to link occupations with adverse health outcomes.


METHODS
An African-American segregation index (I(AA)) 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 I(AA) 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.
Chung-Bridges
Katherine
K
Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
Muntaner
Carles
C
Fleming
Lora E
LE
Lee
David J
DJ
Arheart
Kristopher L
KL
LeBlanc
William G
WG
Christ
Sharon L
SL
McCollister
Kathryn E
KE
Caban
Alberto J
AJ
Davila
Evelyn P
EP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D011287:Prejudice; D012923:Social Class; D014481:United States; D044465:White People