State-Level Sexism and Women's Health Care Access in the United States: Differences by Race/Ethnicity, 2014-2019

Am J Public Health. 2021 Oct;111(10):1796-1805. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2021.306455. Epub 2021 Sep 2.

Abstract

Objectives. To quantify racial/ethnic differences in the relationship between state-level sexism and barriers to health care access among non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic women in the United States. Methods. We merged a multidimensional state-level sexism index compiled from administrative data with the national Consumer Survey of Health Care Access (2014-2019; n = 10 898) to test associations between exposure to state-level sexism and barriers to access, availability, and affordability of health care. Results. Greater exposure to state-level sexism was associated with more barriers to health care access among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women, but not non-Hispanic White women. Affordability barriers (cost of medical bills, health insurance, prescriptions, and tests) appeared to drive these associations. More frequent need for care exacerbated the relationship between state-level sexism and barriers to care for Hispanic women. Conclusions. The relationship between state-level sexism and women's barriers to health care access differs by race/ethnicity and frequency of needing care. Public Health Implications. State-level policies may be used strategically to promote health care equity at the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(10):1796-1805. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306455).

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data*
  • Health Services Needs and Demand / organization & administration*
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Insurance, Health / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • State Health Plans / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States
  • White People / statistics & numerical data