Title
Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Disparities Between U.S. Non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics, 2000-2009
Date of Award:
11-2011
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology
Advisor/Chair:
Dr. Eric Reither
Abstract
Seasonal influenza produces substantial disease within the United States every year. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines for influenza, millions of individuals go unvaccinated each flu season, with notable differences across racial/ethnic groups. Using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), I examine vaccination rates among non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics during the 2000-2009 influenza seasons. After developing a new method that addresses shortcomings of BRFSS vaccination measures, I find that non-Hispanic whites exhibit higher vaccination rates than Hispanics. Through a series of logistic regression models I show that the disparities between non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics narrow after controlling for healthcare coverage and socioeconomic characteristics. This suggests that seasonal influenza vaccination may be improved among U.S. Hispanics by addressing structural barriers in receiving the vaccine, especially access to health care.
Recommended Citation
Burger, Andrew E., "Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Disparities Between U.S. Non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics, 2000-2009" (2011). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1081.
http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/1081
Copyright for this work is retained by the student.
Comments
Publication made available electronically December 21, 2011.