title: Racial/ethnic disparities and consumer activation in health.
abstract: In this paper we explore whether increasing individuals' activation (self-management) levels could hold potential for reducing racial and ethnic disparities in health. A causal model is posited that assumes that social-environmental factors influence activation levels, which in turn influence health outcomes. Relationships are examined separately for whites and African Americans, and findings are supportive of the model for both groups. Simulations of what would happen to outcomes if there were racial parity in activation predict a narrowing of the racial gap in health and behavior. The findings suggest that a focus on increasing activation holds potential for addressing racial and ethnic disparities in health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Planning, Public Policy, and Management, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA. jhibbard@uoregon.edu
authors.forename: Judith H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hibbard
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Edmund R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roblin
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Painter
authors.forename: Debra J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Burbank-Schmitt
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tusler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006304:Health Status; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012648:Self Care; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001741:Black or African American