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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
07:40
Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations
Published on: October 29, 2016
Is segregation bad for your health?
Michael R Kramer1, Carol R Hogue
1Women's and Children's Center, Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. mkram02@sph.emory.edu
Epidemiologic Reviews
|May 26, 2009
Summary
Racial residential segregation impacts African American health outcomes, with isolation linked to poorer health. However, some neighborhood clustering may offer protective effects, highlighting complex associations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Sociology
Background:
- Racial residential segregation has long been associated with health disparities in African Americans.
- Recent interest in the public health literature highlights the need to understand this complex relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the literature on the segregation-health association.
- To examine how segregation is measured, its plausibility, evidence, and modifiability as a risk factor.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of health and social science literature.
- Analysis of 39 studies examining segregation and health outcomes.
- Consideration of epidemiological questions regarding measurement, plausibility, evidence, and modifiability.
Main Results:
- Segregation-health associations are consistent but complex.
- Isolation segregation is linked to poor pregnancy outcomes and increased mortality.
- Some studies suggest health-protective effects of clustered Black neighborhoods, independent of isolation.
Conclusions:
- Future research should refine segregation measurement and utilize longitudinal data.
- Understanding segregation's multilevel framework is crucial for public health interventions.
- Addressing segregation is key to reducing racial disparities in disease.
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