Annotation

Williams D. R. (2002). Racial/ethnic variations in women’s health: the social embeddedness of health. American journal of public health, 92(4), 588–597. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.92.4.588

Abstract:

This article provides an overview of the magnitude of and trends in racial/ethnic disparities in health for women in the United States. It emphasizes the importance of attending to diversity in the health profiles and populations of minority women. Socioeconomic status is a central determinant of racial/ethnic disparities in health, but several other factors, including medical care, geographic location, migration and acculturation, racism, and exposure to stress and resources also play a role. There is a need for renewed attention to monitoring, understanding, and actively seeking to eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in health.

Annotation:

This article dives into the realities of women’s health, and the various social determinants of health that affect different groups. It discusses the reasons behind disparities in severity, prevalence, and mortality rates of diseases across different populations, and suggests that there are a plethora of factors that play a part. It also takes time to break down differences in medical care and other factors and how they might affect health. This article was written for other people in both the medical field and social sciences, with the intent to educate and give background. This article would be great as context when paired with other articles discussing health disparities amongst women based on race, to further thought and give explicit reasoning.