The Effect of Primary Care Physician Supply and Income Inequality on Mortality Among Blacks and Whites in US Metropolitan Areas

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed whether income inequality and primary care physician supply have a different effect on mortality among Blacks compared with Whites. METHODS: We conducted a multivariate ecologic analysis of 1990 data from 273 US metropolitan areas. RESULTS: Both income inequality and primary care physician supply were significantly associated with White mortality (P .10), particularly in areas with high income inequality. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in population health requires addressing socioeconomic determinants of health, including income inequality and primary care availability and access.