Health Care Utilization among Young Adults: Associations with Historic Redlining

Introduction. This study explored the association between historic redlining and health-related outcomes. Methods. Respondents from Waves III-V of the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health were mapped to districts coded red by the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC). Logistic regression evaluated the association between distance from a redlined district and having insurance, visiting a private physician, receiving medical care, and perceiving good health. Results. About 71% of White, 53.5% of Black, and 41.9% of Hispanic individuals lived five miles or further outside a redlined district, which was associated with a higher likelihood of visiting a private physician (OR=1.20), having insurance (OR=1.05), receiving medical care (OR=1.34), and perceiving good health (OR=1.09). Compared with those living closer than five miles away, Black and Hispanic individuals residing five miles away or further were more likely to receive care (Black OR=1.09; Hispanic OR=1.02) and perceive good health (Black OR=1.20; Hispanic OR=1.03). Conclusion. Proximity to a historic redlined district was associated with worse outcomes.