Disaggregating race and ethnicity in chronic health conditions: implications for public health social work.

This study examines the ethnic subgroup variation in chronic health by comparing self-reports of chronic conditions across diverse ethnic subgroups of Asian American (Vietnamese, Filipino, Chinese), Latino American (Cuban, Portuguese, Mexican), and African Caribbean (Haitian, Jamaican, Trinidadian/Tobagonian) respondents. This analysis utilizes linked data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys (CPES). Logistic regression revealed significant subgroup differences in reports of chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, and pain conditions across nine ethnic subgroups masked by racial categorization. Findings suggest that precautions must be taken by public health social workers as there may be far more ethnic heterogeneity than is apparent among broad racial categories.