Abstract
Background: Socioeconomic disparities perpetuated by racism result in inequitable access to preventive resources for addressing adverse health outcomes. Experiences with racial discrimination in adulthood have been well characterized. However, childhood experiences require further investigation.
Objectives: Our study aims to assess trends in racial discrimination among children in the United States.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), a nationally representative survey, using data from 2016-2020. We calculated yearly population estimates of whether a child had experienced discrimination based on race/ethnicity via a parent-reported item. We further divided the estimates by race/ethnicity and plotted linear trends over time.
Results: Children identifying as American Indian or Alaskan Native (AI/AN) were reported to experience discrimination at greater rates, compared to all other groups, ranging from 10.77% in 2016 to 15.74% in 2020. Children identifying as Black were reported to have similar rates, with the exceptions of 2017 and 2018, which were 3 to 4 points lower. Children identifying as Asian, Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic also reported rates of discrimination between 4.39 and 6.80% in the same period.
Conclusions: Racial discrimination negatively impacts the developmental experiences of children, disproportionately affecting those identifying as AI/AN and Black. Therefore, addressing harmful stereotyping of AI/AN and Black cultures is necessary—especially among media targeted towards children. Providing culturally competent healthcare, critically in the AI/AN and Black pediatric population, may improve long-term outcomes by reducing discriminatory barriers to healthcare access
Objectives: Our study aims to assess trends in racial discrimination among children in the United States.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), a nationally representative survey, using data from 2016-2020. We calculated yearly population estimates of whether a child had experienced discrimination based on race/ethnicity via a parent-reported item. We further divided the estimates by race/ethnicity and plotted linear trends over time.
Results: Children identifying as American Indian or Alaskan Native (AI/AN) were reported to experience discrimination at greater rates, compared to all other groups, ranging from 10.77% in 2016 to 15.74% in 2020. Children identifying as Black were reported to have similar rates, with the exceptions of 2017 and 2018, which were 3 to 4 points lower. Children identifying as Asian, Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic also reported rates of discrimination between 4.39 and 6.80% in the same period.
Conclusions: Racial discrimination negatively impacts the developmental experiences of children, disproportionately affecting those identifying as AI/AN and Black. Therefore, addressing harmful stereotyping of AI/AN and Black cultures is necessary—especially among media targeted towards children. Providing culturally competent healthcare, critically in the AI/AN and Black pediatric population, may improve long-term outcomes by reducing discriminatory barriers to healthcare access
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 31 |
| State | Published - 29 Jul 2022 |
| Event | 50th Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP) Annual Meeting and National Health Conference: Optimizing American Indian and Alaska Native Health: Implementing our Tribal Nation Sovereignty - Capital Hilton, 16th Street Northwest, Washington, United States Duration: 28 Jul 2022 → 31 Jul 2022 |
Conference
| Conference | 50th Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP) Annual Meeting and National Health Conference |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Washington |
| Period | 28/07/22 → 31/07/22 |