Eric Emerson1,2, Allison Milner3, Zoe Aitken3, Lauren Krnjacki3, Cathy Vaughan3, Gwynnyth Llewellyn1, Anne Kavanagh3. 1. Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 1825, Australia. 2. Centre for Disability Research, Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK. 3. Melbourne School Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Exposure to discrimination can have a negative impact on health. There is little robust evidence on the prevalence of exposure of people with disabilities to discrimination, the sources and nature of discrimination they face, and the personal and contextual factors associated with increased risk of exposure. METHODS: Secondary analysis of de-identified cross-sectional data from the three waves of the UK's 'Life Opportunities Survey'. RESULTS: In the UK (i) adults with disabilities were over three times more likely than their peers to be exposed to discrimination, (ii) the two most common sources of discrimination were strangers in the street and health staff and (iii) discrimination was more likely to be reported by participants who were younger, more highly educated, who were unemployed or economically inactive, who reported financial stress or material hardship and who had impairments associated with hearing, memory/speaking, dexterity, behavioural/mental health, intellectual/learning difficulties and breathing. CONCLUSIONS: Discrimination faced by people with disabilities is an under-recognised public health problem that is likely to contribute to disability-based health inequities. Public health policy, research and practice needs to concentrate efforts on developing programs that reduce discrimination experienced by people with disabilities.
BACKGROUND: Exposure to discrimination can have a negative impact on health. There is little robust evidence on the prevalence of exposure of people with disabilities to discrimination, the sources and nature of discrimination they face, and the personal and contextual factors associated with increased risk of exposure. METHODS: Secondary analysis of de-identified cross-sectional data from the three waves of the UK's 'Life Opportunities Survey'. RESULTS: In the UK (i) adults with disabilities were over three times more likely than their peers to be exposed to discrimination, (ii) the two most common sources of discrimination were strangers in the street and health staff and (iii) discrimination was more likely to be reported by participants who were younger, more highly educated, who were unemployed or economically inactive, who reported financial stress or material hardship and who had impairments associated with hearing, memory/speaking, dexterity, behavioural/mental health, intellectual/learning difficulties and breathing. CONCLUSIONS: Discrimination faced by people with disabilities is an under-recognised public health problem that is likely to contribute to disability-based health inequities. Public health policy, research and practice needs to concentrate efforts on developing programs that reduce discrimination experienced by people with disabilities.
Authors: Lisa Reber; Jodi M Kreschmer; Tyler G James; Jaime D Junior; Gina L DeShong; Shan Parker; Michelle A Meade Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-18 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Isabel Gutierrez-Martínez; Josefa González-Santos; Paula Rodríguez-Fernández; Alfredo Jiménez-Eguizábal; Jose Antonio Del Barrio-Del Campo; Jerónimo J González-Bernal Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-10 Impact factor: 3.390