Perceived Discrimination Based on Criminal Record in Healthcare Settings and Self-Reported Health Status Among Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

• NCJ Number: 255802
• Journal: Journal of Urban Health-Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine Volume: 97 Dated: 2020 Pages: 105-111
• Author(s): Nicole Redmond; Jenerius A. Aminawung; Diane S. Morse; Nickolas Zaller; Shira Shavit; Emily A. Wang
• Date Published: 2019
• Length: 7 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2015-RY-BX-K002
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Since there is limited data on discrimination based on criminal record within healthcare settings, this study examined how perceived discrimination in healthcare settings among individuals with an incarceration history was associated with self-reported general health status.

Abstract

The study used data from individuals recruited from 11 sites within the Transitions Clinic Network (TCN) who were released from prison within the prior 6 months; had a chronic health condition and/or were age 50 or older; and had complete information on demographics, medical history, self-reported general health status, and self-reported perceived discrimination (n=743). Study participants were mostly from minority racial/ethnic groups (76 percent) and had a high prevalence of self-reported chronic health conditions, with half reporting mental health conditions and substance-use disorders (52 percent and 50 percent, respectively), and 85 percent reporting one or more chronic medical conditions. Over a quarter (27 percent, n=203) reported perceived discrimination by healthcare providers due to criminal record, with a higher proportion of individuals with fair or poor health reporting discrimination compared to those in good or excellent health (33 percent vs. 23 percent; p=.002). After adjusting for age and reported chronic conditions, participants reporting discrimination due to criminal record had 43-percent increased odds of reporting fair/poor health (AOR 1.43, 95 percent CI 1.01-2.03). Race and ethnicity did not modify this relationship. The study's overall conclusion is that participants reporting discrimination due to criminal record had increased odds of reporting fair/poor health. The association between perceived discrimination by healthcare providers due to a patient's criminal record and health should be explored in future longitudinal studies among individuals at high risk of incarceration. 29 references (publisher abstract modified)