Study looks for relationship between women’s ethnicity and health care

A nationwide study found that black women ages 25 to 45 are more likely to have a regular doctor and feel cared for compared to Hispanic and Asian young women of the same age.

The study is an ongoing effort by a group of five researchers, three of which are from the University of Nebraska system and two others from Oklahoma State University and Alfred University.

Christine Ngaruiya, a medical student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center; Naomi Lacy, an assistant professor in the research division of UNMC's department of family medicine; and Julia McQuillan, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are involved in this study to look for a correlation between ethnicity and the likelihood of having a regular doctor among young women.

"This topic was initially Christine's (Ngaruiya) final year project," McQuillan said.

Ngaruiya's interest in the study stemmed from her sociology of health class with McQuillan. They noticed health status disparities in minorities, and Ngaruiya was interested in finding out from where the problem stemmed. They decided to focus on the patients for this study.

Between 2003 and 2006, 4,500 women were interviewed, and 88 percent of black women reported having a regular doctor compared to 85 percent of white women and 71 percent of Hispanic women.

"So far, the health status of these women looks good," McQuillan said. "There is no evidence that points toward biased treatment from health care providers due to ethnicity or socioeconomic background."

Racism in health care was once a hot topic after the exposure of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service between 1932 and 1972. African American men with syphilis were left untreated to observe the long-term effects of the disease, even after penicillin was validated as the cure. Some of the men died, with cases of their wives contracting syphilis and children born with congenital syphilis.

"Seeking continuity of care with a provider is imperative for patients' health, particularly in those with chronic illness aside for preventive health care," Ngaruiya said.

Researchers also learned that language barriers might be a factor affecting patients' perception on doctors, especially in the Latino population. Ngaruiya said language barriers can be reduced by increasing access to translators or interpreters in the work place.

Follow-up interviews with participants of this study are ongoing, as health care is still a prominent topic.

The new results should provide insights into women's ability to maintain a regular provider with fewer resources and if access to health care has increased for Hispanic and Asian women.

"At the same time, there is work to do to make sure that all women have access to health care, regardless of race and ethnicity," McQuillan said.

alexisseetho@dailynebraskan.com