Exploring relationships between racism, housing and child illness in remote indigenous communities.
BACKGROUND
Although racism is increasingly acknowledged as a determinant of health, few studies have examined the relationship between racism, housing and child health outcomes.


METHODS
Cross-sectional data from the Housing Improvement and Child Health study collected in ten remote indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, Australia were analysed using hierarchical logistic regression. Carer and householder self-reported racism was measured using a single item and child illness was measured using a carer report of common childhood illnesses. A range of confounders, moderators and mediators were considered, including socio-demographic and household composition, psychosocial measures for carers and householders, community environment, and health-related behaviour and hygienic state of environment.


RESULTS
Carer self-reported racism was significantly associated with child illness in this sample after adjusting for confounders (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.09 to 2.48). Carer negative affect balance was identified as a significant mediator of this relationship. Householder self-reported racism was marginally significantly associated with child illness in this sample after adjusting for confounders (OR 1.43; 95% CI 0.94 to 2.18, p=0.09). Householder self-reported drug use was identified as a significant mediator of this relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
Consistent with evidence from adult populations and children from other ethnic minorities, this study found that vicarious racism is associated with poor health outcomes among an indigenous child population.
McCaughey Centre and Onemda Unit, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. npriest@unimelb.edu.au
Naomi
N
Priest
Yin
Y
Paradies
Matthew
M
Stevens
Ross
R
Bailie
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000592:standards; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology; D044382:Population Groups; D011287:Prejudice; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014195:Travel