Differential protective effects of Family Income-to-Poverty-Ratio on electronic cigarette, depression, and obesity of Black and White Americans

Shervin Assari; Shervin Assari

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2024060

AIMS Public Health

2024, Volume 11, Issue 4: 1157-1171. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2024060

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Research article Special Issues

Differential protective effects of Family Income-to-Poverty-Ratio on electronic cigarette, depression, and obesity of Black and White Americans

Shervin Assari ^,

Departments of Urban Public Health, Internal Medicine, and Family Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Received: 27 March 2024 Revised: 06 June 2024 Accepted: 17 June 2024 Published: 11 December 2024

Background
The Family Income-to-Poverty-Ratio (FIPR) is a recognized indicator of socioeconomic status, and influences a wide range of health and behavioral outcomes. Yet, marginalized and racialized groups, particularly Black individuals, may not reap comparable health benefits from their socioeconomic advancements as their non-Hispanic, White counterparts. This discrepancy is indicative of a phenomenon known as the minorities' diminished returns.
Aims
This study investigates the differential impact of the FIPR on depression, obesity, tobacco use, and e-cigarette use between Black and White adults.
Methods
Using data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), which included 21,354 non-Hispanic adults from both White and Black racial groups, this research employed structural equation modeling to assess the relationship between the FIPR and health outcomes, including depression, obesity, and e-cigarette use.
Results
The analysis identified significant interactions between FIPR and race across all the examined outcomes. Contrary to expectations, the findings suggest that the protective effects of higher income levels on health and healthy behaviors are less pronounced for Black individuals compared to White individuals.
Conclusion
The study underscores the substantial societal and environmental barriers that hinder Black families and individuals from converting their FIPR and socioeconomic resources into concrete health benefits, such as an enhanced mental and physical well-being. To redress these racial health disparities, targeted interventions are crucial, particularly those that focus on bridging the employment and marriage rate gaps caused by educational disparities among Black communities. A comprehensive approach that extends beyond simple access to education is imperative to eliminate the societal obstacles that limit the socioeconomic benefits for Black populations.
- social determinants,
- ethnic groups,
- health equity,
- Family Income-to-Poverty-Ratio,
- Black/White Americans
Citation: Shervin Assari. Differential protective effects of Family Income-to-Poverty-Ratio on electronic cigarette, depression, and obesity of Black and White Americans[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2024, 11(4): 1157-1171. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2024060

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Abstract

Background

The Family Income-to-Poverty-Ratio (FIPR) is a recognized indicator of socioeconomic status, and influences a wide range of health and behavioral outcomes. Yet, marginalized and racialized groups, particularly Black individuals, may not reap comparable health benefits from their socioeconomic advancements as their non-Hispanic, White counterparts. This discrepancy is indicative of a phenomenon known as the minorities' diminished returns.

Aims

This study investigates the differential impact of the FIPR on depression, obesity, tobacco use, and e-cigarette use between Black and White adults.

Methods

Using data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), which included 21,354 non-Hispanic adults from both White and Black racial groups, this research employed structural equation modeling to assess the relationship between the FIPR and health outcomes, including depression, obesity, and e-cigarette use.

Results

The analysis identified significant interactions between FIPR and race across all the examined outcomes. Contrary to expectations, the findings suggest that the protective effects of higher income levels on health and healthy behaviors are less pronounced for Black individuals compared to White individuals.

Conclusion

The study underscores the substantial societal and environmental barriers that hinder Black families and individuals from converting their FIPR and socioeconomic resources into concrete health benefits, such as an enhanced mental and physical well-being. To redress these racial health disparities, targeted interventions are crucial, particularly those that focus on bridging the employment and marriage rate gaps caused by educational disparities among Black communities. A comprehensive approach that extends beyond simple access to education is imperative to eliminate the societal obstacles that limit the socioeconomic benefits for Black populations.

Acknowledgments

This study is supported by funds provided by The Regents of the University of California, Tobacco-Related Diseases Research Program, Grant Number no T32IR5355.

Conflict of interest

Shervin Assari is an editorial board member for AIMS Public Health, and he's also guest editor of AIMS Public Health Special Issue, and was not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. The author declares that there are no competing interests.

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