Am J Ind Med. 2024 Jul 2. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23634. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hypertension has been linked to socially patterned stressors, including discrimination. Few studies have quantified the risk of hypertension associated with exposure to perceived job discrimination.
METHODS: We used prospective cohort data from the Sister Study (enrollment from 2003-2009) to estimate self-reported incident hypertension associated with perceived job discrimination based on race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or health status. Job discrimination in the prior 5 years was assessed in 2008-2012, and incident doctor-diagnosed hypertension was ascertained in previously hypertension-free participants.
RESULTS: Among the 16,770 eligible participants aged 37-78 years at the start of follow-up, 10.5% reported job discrimination in the past 5 years, and 19.2% (n = 3226) reported incident hypertension during a median follow-up of 9.7 years (interquartile range 8.2-11.0 years). Self-reported poor health or inclusion in minoritized groups based on race/ethnicity or sexual orientation were more frequent among those reporting job discrimination. In a Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for covariates, report of at least one type of job discrimination (compared to none) was associated with a 14% (hazard ratio = 1.14 [95% confidence: 1.02-1.27]) higher hypertension risk. Results from sensitivity analyses reinforced the findings.
CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that interventions addressing job discrimination could have workplace equity and health benefits.
PMID:38953171 | DOI:10.1002/ajim.23634
