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.
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.
Authors: Natalie Slopen; Garrett Strizich; Simin Hua; Linda C Gallo; David H Chae; Naomi Priest; Matthew J Gurka; Shrikant I Bangdiwala; Julia I Bravin; Earle C Chambers; Martha L Daviglus; Maria M Llabre; Mercedes R Carnethon; Carmen R Isasi Journal: Ann Epidemiol Date: 2019-03-28 Impact factor: 3.797
Authors: Riana E Anderson; Shawn C T Jones; Farzana T Saleem; Isha Metzger; Nkemka Anyiwo; Kyle Simone Nisbeth; Kiana D Bess; Kenneth Resnicow; Howard C Stevenson Journal: Child Dev Date: 2021-06-16
Authors: Lisa M Jamieson; Yin C Paradies; Wendy Gunthorpe; Sheree J Cairney; Susan M Sayers Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2011-08-19 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Camila A Kairuz; Lisa M Casanelia; Keziah Bennett-Brook; Julieann Coombes; Uday Narayan Yadav Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2021-07-03 Impact factor: 3.295