The Effect of Race, Ethnicity, and Socioeconomic Status on Report of Chronic Diseases

Social determinants of health can be used to explain why health disparities within a population occur and the negative consequences of these disparities for the general population. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, on individual health status. The epidemiology triangle, conflict theory, critical race theory, and the social ecological model guided the conceptual framework for the study. A quantitative, cross-sectional study design employed secondary data analysis from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey (2000-2010) collected in one state. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between health status, defined as number of chronic diseases reported, and the independent variables of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, as well as their interactions. Results indicate that individuals who are Black, Hispanic, have lower levels of education, or live within lower percentages of the federal poverty level, were more likely to report a higher number of chronic diseases. While models that included the interaction of race, ethnicity, education, or percentage of the federal poverty level were not more predictive than models that included only the individual variables, all interactions between the independent variables were associated with increased chronic disease diagnoses. Implications for positive social change included reducing health disparities and improving quality of life.