ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the racial and ethnic variations found in three major health outcomes: hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, among the working age population in California. Racial and ethnic health disparities among the working age population are important issues in the research agenda of occupational health. Racial and ethnic differences in incidence and prevalence of diseases and injuries may also be shaped by globalization of the economy and changes in work-related technologies. Industry-based research tends to examine the racial and ethnic composition by different occupational health and safety indicators. The chapter defines and analyzes race and ethnicity using four aggregate categories: European Americans or White Americans; African Americans; Latino Americans; and Asian Americans. Ethnicity-based research argues the importance of collecting adequate data on Asian Americans, recent and undocumented Latino immigrants, and to disaggregate data on different ethnic groups. Industry-specific research calls attention to the need to reduce or eliminate the most hazardous substances from workplaces.
