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Rationale

Experiences of Racial Discrimination in Toronto: Prevalence, Socio-demographic and Health Correlates Donna Ansara 1 , Jennifer Levy 1 , Patricia O’Campo 2 1 Toronto Public Health 2 Centre for Research on Inner City Health, Toronto Canadian Public Health Association Conference May 28, 2014.

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Rationale

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  1. Experiences of Racial Discrimination in Toronto: Prevalence, Socio-demographic and Health Correlates • Donna Ansara1, Jennifer Levy1, Patricia O’Campo2 • 1 Toronto Public Health • 2 Centre for Research on Inner City Health, Toronto • Canadian Public Health Association Conference • May 28, 2014

  2. Rationale • Toronto Public Health Reports • Racialization and Health Inequities in Toronto (2013) • The Global City: Newcomer Health in Toronto (2011) • The Unequal City: Income and Health Inequalities in Toronto (2008) • Toronto is the most diverse city in Canada – half of residents are racialized

  3. Objectives • To examine experiences of racial discrimination in Toronto • To examine how these experiences differ by socio-demographic characteristics in Toronto • To examine the health correlates of racial discrimination in Toronto

  4. Project Advisory Committee • Toronto community/academic researchers • Grace-Edward Galabuzi • Bob Gardner • David Hulchanski • Axelle Janczur • Kwame McKenzie • Patricia O'Campo • Yogendra Shakya • Leading American researcher • David Williams

  5. Definitions • Racialization is “the process by which societies construct races as real, different and unequal in ways that matter to economic, political and social life” (Ontario Human Rights Commission, 2005) • Racialized groups “can be understood as non-dominant ethno-racial communities who, through the process of racialization, experience race as a key factor in their identity and experience of inequality” (Galabuzi, 2006)

  6. Racialization and Health • International research shows racialized groups have poorer health than non-racialized groups on several outcomes • Canadian research is more recent but shows some evidence of racialized health inequities • Racial discrimination is one mechanism that may explain racialized health inequities

  7. Racial Discrimination • Interpersonal  Structural • Interpersonal discrimination: unfair or negative treatment because of race • Structural discrimination: policies or practices that result in the inequitable treatment of racialized groups • Discrimination may be unintentional

  8. Racial Discrimination and Health • Most research focuses on self-reported interpersonal discrimination • Racial discrimination morbidity, esp. poor mental health, health behaviours • Racial discrimination = Stress • Mechanisms: negative emotional states, behavioural coping, physiologic responses

  9. Data • Neighbourhood Effects on Health and Well-being Study (NEHW) • Probability sample collected 2009-2011 in Toronto (n=2,412) • Includes residents 25-64, spoke English, lived in neighbourhood for 6 months • Conducted by CRICH (Toronto) in collaboration with the Univ. of Toronto • Response rate = 72%

  10. Measurement of Racial Discrimination • Everyday Discrimination Scale • You are treated with less respect than other people • You receive poorer service than other people at restaurants or stores • People act as if they are afraid of you • People think that they're better than you • You are called names or are insulted • You are threatened or harassed Williams et al., 1997

  11. Health Outcomes

  12. Statistical Analyses • Prevalence (%) – 2tests • Socio-demographic correlates • multivariate logistic regression • sex, age, racialized group, immigrant status, Engl. proficiency, education, SES • Health correlates • multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, immigrant status, income

  13. Characteristics of the Sample * p< 0.05

  14. Prevalence of Racial Discrimination (%) * p<0.05 (2 tests)

  15. Socio-Demographic Correlates * p< 0.05

  16. Health Correlates * p < 0.05 a adjusts for age, sex, immigrant status, income

  17. Summary • Discrimination was prevalent in Toronto, particularly for racialized group members • Discrimination also varied by other socio-demographic characteristics • Racial discrimination was negatively associated with health outcomes

  18. Limitations • Aggregating racialized groups could mask heterogeneity between groups • Representativeness • Measure of discrimination primarily assessed interpersonal discrimination • Possible time lag between exposure to discrimination and health outcomes

  19. Implications • More research is needed examining the prevalence and health consequences of racial discrimination in Canada • Research is needed testing interventions aimed at eliminating discrimination • Programs/policies are needed to address racial discrimination and reduce the associated poorer health outcomes

  20. Contact • Donna Ansara • dansara@toronto.ca • Thank-You!

  21. Definitions • Racial discrimination is "any distinction, conduct or action, whether intentional or not, but based on a person’s race, which has the effect of imposing burdens on an individual or group, not imposed upon others or which withholds or limits access to benefits available to other members of society" (Ontario Human Rights Commission, 2005).

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