Experiences of racial discrimination in relation to residential segregation

Background: Both segregation and experiences of discrimination influence racial/ethnic health disparities. Objective: To examine the prevalence of health-related racial discrimination as experienced by Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians in relation to metropolitan area residential segregation. Methods: 18,917 members of these racial/ethnic minority groups living in metropolitan areas of 18 states were asked the "Reactions to Race" module of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System between 2002 and 2011. We measured segregation using the multigroup dissimilarity index (Dm) based on the 2000 Census. Findings: After adjustment for individual factors, most discriminatory experiences were reported more frequently by all three racial/ethnic groups in extremely segregated (0.60<=m<0.76) compared to the least segregated (0.13<=m<0.40) metropolitan areas. Statistically significant, step-wise increases were seen for daily race-consciousness among Blacks. Similar patterns were observed among Asians reporting physical symptoms as a result of race-based treatment. Conclusion: Metropolitan area residential segregation appears to increase reporting of racially discriminatory experiences among minority groups.