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Volume 2: No.
4, October 2005
BOOK REVIEW
Minority Populations and Health: An Introduction to Health Disparities in the United States
Author: Thomas A. LaVeist, PhD
San Francisco, Calif
Jossey-Bass
Publication Date: April 2005
368 pages
Price: $65.00
ISBN: 0-7879-6413-1
Suggested citation for this article: Headen S. Minority populations and health:
an introduction to health disparities in the United States [book review]. Prev Chronic Dis [serial online] 2005 Oct [date cited]. Available from: URL: http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/
oct/05_0107.htm.
Minority Populations and Health: An Introduction to Health Disparities in the United States, by Thomas A. LaVeist,
provides a theoretical and methodological framework for examining the
determinants of health and factors that contribute to health disparities among
racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Following an excellent analysis of the
magnitude of the health disparities problem, the author presents conceptual
models for developing policies and interventions that can reduce disparities and improve health outcomes and services for all groups.
This textbook is more comprehensive than many works on minority health,
offering instruction on a range of topics required to understand the literature
on health disparities. Although aimed at
undergraduates, it is so thorough, well written, and elegant in design that it should be required reading for graduate students, practicing health professionals — including physicians — and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how health disparities have developed and are maintained.
The text is state-of-the-art in its analysis of health disparities from both
domestic and international perspectives. Health indicators for the five
racial/ethnic groups in the United States are compared with populations in 13 developing and developed countries around the world. One example (Figure 4.8) shows the startling observation that African Americans had a higher infant mortality rate in
1999 than other racial/ethnic groups in the United States and higher than populations in 12 other countries, including some developing nations. Russia was the only country whose infant mortality rates exceeded those of African Americans.
When possible, data for subgroups within racial or ethnic categories are
presented separately in the book, further illuminating the scope of the
disparities problem. In an example from 2000 census data (Figure 4.7),
infant mortality rates for the five major racial/ethnic groups are compared with
subgroups of Asians/Pacific Islanders (Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Hawaiian,
Other) and Hispanics/Latinos (Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central/South
American, Other). These comparisons reveal significant within-group health
disparities in addition to disparities between groups. Among Asians, Hawaiians
had the highest infant mortality rates, and among Hispanics, Puerto Ricans had
the highest rates.
The book is divided into five sections composed of 14 chapters and two
appendices. An introductory chapter describes the historical roots of inequality
in America — the enslavement of African Americans and the decimation of American
Indians through war, disease, and displacement. Part One, “Crosscutting Issues,”
includes two chapters. The first addresses conceptual problems with the
categories used to measure health disparities and the author’s discomfort with
them. The second introduces the tools of demography to describe the distribution
of racial and ethnic groups in the United States and the role of fertility, mortality,
and migration in population growth. Part Two, “Morbidity, Mortality, and
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health,” includes chapters on the epidemiology of
physical health conditions, mental health, and health care services. Part Three,
“Etiology of Racial/Ethnic Differences in Health,” covers three topics: theories that explain racial and ethnic group differences, explorations of the role of socioeconomic status in racial and ethnic differences, and theories of and empirical research on behavior and health.
Part Four, “Racial/Ethnic Group-Specific Health Issues,” includes four chapters that underscore the value of this book as a primary text and as a reference for a comprehensive review of health disparities. These chapters are also excellent examples of the conceptual coherence of the book. Each begins with an outline of the topics that will be covered: health status (death rates and causes of
death), health care access and use, and major health risks and health issues unique to each group. A chapter summary and list of key words are also provided. To avoid density and wordiness, some definitions and related facts are presented as sidebars to the text. The selection
and interpretation of data in the text of each chapter builds skills in understanding health statistics and makes the book delightful and informative to read.
Part Five, “Conclusions,” includes a synthesizing chapter and two appendices which supplement material in the text with additional reading and case studies that highlight health-related problems that members of specific racial/ethnic groups might encounter. As would be expected from a scholar who teaches and publishes in the field, LaVeist offers several conceptual models in chapter 14 that present bold
solutions to reduce health disparities. One is an action-oriented blueprint that identifies points of intervention which have been demonstrated to affect health outcomes. These interventions target socioenvironmental factors, such as eliminating exposure to environmental hazards; individual-level factors, such as improving English proficiency and increasing health screening; and factors related
to the health care system, such as providing universal access to health care and pharmaceuticals. Finally, the author suggests that the proposed solutions should be tested empirically in controlled research studies that are community-based, participatory, and tailored to the needs of racial and ethnic minority groups.
Minority Populations and Health: An Introduction to Health Disparities in the United States is a welcome addition to the field because it widens access to the complex issues underlying the health disparities problem. With greater knowledge and understanding, health professionals can more enthusiastically embrace the paradigm shift that redirects the focus of health and
health care away from the white majority and toward the diverse experiences of racial and ethnic minorities.
Sandra Headen, PhD
Consultant
Research, Program Implementation and Evaluation
The Paragon Foundation
Raleigh, NC
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