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December 2002 (Volume 80)
Quarterly Article
Amy J. Schulz
David R. Williams
Barbara A. Israel
Lora Bex Lempert
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African Americans in the United States have a higher than average risk of morbidity and mortality, despite declining mortality rates for many causes of death for the general population. This article examines race-based residential segregation as a fundamental cause of racial disparities, shaping differences in exposure to, and experiences of, diseases and risk factors. The spatial distribution of racial groups, specifically the residential segregation of African Americans in aging urban areas, contributes to disparities in health by influencing access to economic, social, and physical resources essential to health. Using the Detroit metropolitan area as a case study, this article looks at the influences of the distribution of African American and white residents on access to these resources and discusses the implications for urban policies to reduce racial disparities in health status.
Author(s): Amy J. Schulz; David R. Williams; Barbara A. Israel; Lora Bex Lempert
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Volume 80, Issue 4 (pages 677–707) DOI: 10.1111/1468-0009.00028 Published in 2002