Ethnic discrimination and health: the relationship between experienced ethnic discrimination and multiple health domains in Norway's rural Sami population

Abstract

Objective

Self-reported ethnic discrimination has been associated with a range of health outcomes. This study builds on previous efforts to investigate the prevalence of self-reported ethnic discrimination in the indigenous (Sami) population, and how such discrimination may be associated with key health indicators.

Study design

The study relies on data from the 2003/2004 (n=4,389) population-based study of adults (aged 36–79 years) in 24 rural municipalities of Central and North Norway (the SAMINOR study). Self-reported ethnic discrimination was measured using the question: “Have you ever experienced discrimination due to your ethnic background?” Health indicators included questions regarding cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic muscle pain, metabolic syndrome and obesity. Logistic regression was applied to examine the relationship between self-reported ethnic discrimination and health outcomes.

Results

The study finds that for Sami people living in minority areas, self-reported ethnic discrimination is associated with all the negative health indicators included in the study.

Conclusion

We conclude that ethnic discrimination affects a wide range of health outcomes. Our findings highlight the importance of ensuring freedom from discrimination for the Sami people of Norway.

• ethnic discrimination
• racism
• ethnicity
• Sami
• indigenous
• health
• Norway

Acknowledgements

We would like to recognize the participants of the 2003/2004 Study of Health and Living Conditions in Areas with Mixed Sami and Ethnic Norwegian Populations (the SAMINOR study). The Centre for Sami Health Research at The Arctic University of Norway conducted the survey in collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The author thanks The University Hospital of North Norway and The Sami Parliament of Norway for their financial support.