Exposure to Local Black-White Income Inequality and Health Outcomes
Research Poster Social & Behavioral Sciences 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Anna Shetler
Exhibition Number 58
Abstract
In this project, I estimate the effects of racial income inequality at the neighborhood (Census tract level) on individual health. Income inequality has been studied at the national and international level, but has not been studied extensively at more micro-levels. In the US, income inequality is nuanced by race: I study the income inequality between Black and white neighborhood residents to understand if exposure to racial stratification perpetuates racial health inequities. Racial income inequality is just one product of structural racism but gives important insight into how neighborhood composition is associated with racial health disparities over time. Previous research has focused on colorblind income inequality, finding null results for Blacks. To examine racial income inequality and health, I use longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, spanning from 1968-2019. I estimate growth curve models and group-based trajectory models for Blacks and whites to determine neighborhood exposure of individuals over time. Then, I use the trajectory groups to predict adult health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease and psychological distress. For the Graduate Exhibition, I will be presenting preliminary results of this study.
Importance
Examining the relationship between income inequality and race provides a better understanding of how place relates to racial health disparities. Local exposure to income inequality has been found to be related to mortality risk among whites, but not Blacks - when using a colorblind income inequality measure. Incorporating a racial income inequality measure may be necessary to fully understand how social and economic characteristics of neighborhoods are related to racial health disparities.
DEI Statement
This project focuses on racial health disparities, and how exposure to racial income inequality may produce heterogeneous health effects among Blacks and whites. This project will provide better understanding how racial health disparities are perpetuated - and thus, possibilities for reducing such disparities.