AN ANALYSIS OF THE GENERAL WELL-BEING OF BLACKS AND WHITES

The importance of race as a factor in mental health status has been a topic of controversy. This study reviews the history of research in this area and examines racial variances in the relationship between selected socio-demographic variables and general well-being. The study also examines the appropriateness of an additive versus an interactive statistical model for this investigation.^ The sample consists of 6,913 persons who completed the General Well-Being Schedules as administered in the detailed component of the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics between April, 1971 and October, 1975. The sampling design is a multistage, probability sample of clusters of persons in area based segments. Of the 6,913 persons, 873 are Black.^ Unlike other recent community based mental health studies, this study revealed significant differences between the general well-being of Blacks and Whites. Blacks continued to exhibit significantly lower levels of well-being even after adjustments were made for income, education, marital status, sex, age and place of residence. Statistical interaction was found between race and sex with Black females reporting lower levels of well-being than either Black or White males or their White female counterparts.^ The study includes a detailed review of the NHANES I sample design. It is shown that selected aspects of the design make it difficult to render appropriate national comparisons of Black-White differences. As a result conclusions pertaining to these differences based on NHANES I may be of questionable validity. ^

Social and economically influenced factors associated with breast cancer treatment among blacks and whites. A qualitative study

Background: Despite the fact breast cancer mortality has declined in recent years, the mortality gap between African-American and white women continues to grow. A part of these disparities may be due to either inadequately following guideline recommended treatment or treatment delays. Although racial/ethnic disparities in breast cancer treatment and mortality have been extensively documented, the mechanisms by which these disparities occur remain largely unknown. Social and economically influenced factors such as choice of providers, distance of treatment facility, transportation, health insurance, and job related factors may also contribute to racial differences in breast cancer treatment; however, these have not been explored sufficiently in previous research. ^ Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of social and economically influenced factors that may contribute to racial disparities in the receipt of guideline recommended treatment using the Health Disparities Model. ^ Methods: In this qualitative comparative case study, data from medical records, structured telephone interviews, and in-depth patient interviews explored the relationship between social and economically influenced factors and breast cancer treatment. Transcripts were analyzed using standard iterative process followed by immersion/crystallization approach. Participants were identified through rapid ascertainment from the New Jersey Cancer Registry and this study included 8 African-American and 8 white women aged 20-85 years old diagnosed with early stage breast cancer between 2003-2007, matched on age, race, and physician recommended treatment. ^ Results: We did not identify differences by race in factors that influenced the receipt of breast cancer treatment among the individual matched pairs. Four prominent themes emerged among women from both groups who experienced similar difficulties influenced by socioeconomic factors. Choice of providers, distance of facility, health insurance, and job related factors all contributed to breast cancer treatment experience among these women. Conclusions: We identified common issues influenced by socioeconomic factors and its relation with the receipt of breast cancer treatment, regardless of race. However, more research is needed to study the additional factors conveying racial differences affecting breast cancer treatment. ^

Cancer among blacks and other minorities : statistical profiles /

"National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control."

Assessing travel behavior by blacks in the United States: a new perspective. Final report.

Transportation Department, Washington, D.C.

The education of nonmetro blacks /

Mode of access: Internet.

List of publications on American Indians/Alaskan Natives, Asian/Pacific Americans, Blacks, and Hispanics resulting from ADAMHA-supported research on minorities 1972-1981.

Item 497-D-5

Graphitization processes in cokes and carbon blacks /

"June 19, 1953."

Cancer incidence by region of birth among blacks in Cook County /

"December, 1989."

Cancers of the colon and rectum : evidence of disparities between blacks and whites in Illinois /

"P.O. #541186"--Colophon.

We the American-- : Blacks /

Mode of access: Internet.

The application of unit area control in the management of ponderosa-Jeffrey pine at Blacks Mountain Experimental Forest /

Literature cited: p. 60-61.

Some reactions to employing blacks /

"July, 1971."

Blacks in America, 1992.

Mode of access: Internet.

Rastafarianism and the Nation of Islam as institutions for group-identity formation among blacks in the United States: A case study comparing their approaches

This dissertation explores the Rastafari movement and the Nation of Islam as institutions that provide a group-identity for their adherents. The study seeks to determine the characteristics of the identity that is institutionalized by each movement, and the nature of the institutionalization process. The research was conducted primarily in South Florida where both movements exist. An extensive literature review in conjunction with in-depth field interviews were used as the primary research methodologies. What was of particular interest were the reasons that the members of the movements chose one movement over the other, also the similarities and dissimilarities between the movements in their role as institutions for group-identity formation. The research showed that both movements imbued their members with a sense of pride, high self-esteem and a strong sense of race consciousness. In addition, it showed that there was significant variation in identity orientation within the Rastafari Movement, which contrasted with the Nation of Islam where the identity variations within the movement were negligible. This was due largely to the difference in structure between the movements, the Nation of Islam being a centrally organized movement with one leader while the Rastafari movement is a decentralized polycephalous one. ^ Both movements were found to be millenarian in nature, essentially because of the significant utility of the concept that their members would rise to prominence through God's grace. Additionally, both movements were identified as expressive social movements, since they were determined as being primarily concerned with changing the attitudes of their members rather than effecting structural social change. ^