The relation between perceived unfair treatment and blood pressure in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of women

Am J Epidemiol. 2006 Aug 1;164(3):257-62. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwj196. Epub 2006 Jun 15.

Abstract

Elevated blood pressure is an important public health problem in midlife women, especially among minority groups. Few studies have examined the impact of perceived unfair treatment due to different factors such as racism, sexism, or ageism on blood pressure. By use of a racially/ethnically diverse community sample of nearly 3,300 midlife women enrolled in the longitudinal, multisite Study of Women's Health across the Nation between 1995 and 1997, this study examined whether perceived unfair treatment varied by race/ethnicity and whether it was associated with blood pressure levels. Overall, unfair treatment was reported by 65% of African-American women, 60% of Chinese women, 36% of Japanese women, 47% of White women, and 27% of Hispanic women. Although racial/ethnic differences in blood pressure were evident, high levels of perceived unfair treatment were not a correlate of elevated blood pressure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / ethnology*
  • Hypertension / etiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Prejudice*
  • Racial Groups / ethnology*
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Perception
  • United States