BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Perceived discrimination is associated with many negative health outcomes and behaviors. However, the mechanisms underlying these relationships remain unknown and few interventions to reduce the impact of discrimination on health exist.

OBJECTIVE(S):
The objectives of this Career Development Award (CDA) were to (1) conduct research to identify mechanisms by which patient perceptions of discrimination impact health behaviors and outcomes, and (2) inform the development of patient-level and provider-level interventions to reduce the impact of discrimination on health behaviors and outcomes.

METHODS:
A variety of research methods were used to examine the impact of perceived discrimination on patient health behaviors and outcomes. Secondary database analyses were used to identify the association of perceived discrimination with health-related outcomes in the general population, in Veterans, and in patients with specific clinical conditions (e.g., hypertension), and to illuminate variables that mediate the association of discrimination with outcomes. Primary data collection was used to provide additional information about the presence and impact of perceived discrimination among Veterans, and to identify possible mediating variables to guide the development of patient- and provider-focused interventions to reduce the impact of discrimination on health-related outcomes among Veterans.

FINDINGS/RESULTS:
Not yet available.

IMPACT:
Many VHA patients belong to racial and socioeconomic groups that are at increased risk of experiencing or perceiving acts of discrimination, which is a risk factor for poor health behaviors and outcomes. The work supported by this CDA represents an important step towards mitigating the impact of discrimination on health and alleviating health disparities among Veterans that may be due, in part, to discrimination..

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External Links for this Project

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PUBLICATIONS:

None at this time.

DRA: Health Systems Science
DRE: Technology Development and Assessment
Keywords: Equity
MeSH Terms: none