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Discrimination

Indicator #36: Discrimination Rate

Indicator 36A: Percentage of BC students in grades 7–12 who report having been discriminated against or treated unfairly because of their race, ethnicity, or skin colour in the past year.

Indicator 36B: Percentage of BC students in grades 7–12 who report having been discriminated against or treated unfairly because of their sexual orientation in the past year.

 

 

Jump to Figure Notes and Sources

 

Key Messages

  • Children and youth have a fundamental right, enshrined in the BC Human Rights Code, to be free from discrimination on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disability, among other factors.1 Discrimination is linked to poor health behaviours, poor mental health, and, to a lesser extent, poor physical health.2,3,4,5,6,7
  • As shown in Figure 36A.1, among students surveyed in grades 7–12, more males than females experienced discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, or skin colour; however, the percentage of males who experienced this discrimination decreased from 2003 to 2013 while the percentage for females was quite stable over this time.
  • Conversely, there has been an overall increase in discrimination based on sexual orientation over the same time period, with the largest increase seen among females (Figure 36B.1)
  • Figures 36AB.2, 36A.3 and 36B.3 demonstrate geographic differences for both discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or skin colour, and discrimination based on sexual orientation.

 

Figure Notes and Sources

Figure 36A.1

Notes: "In the past year" means during the 12 months prior to the survey. The difference between 2003 and 2013 was statistically significant for "All" and males, and the difference between 2008 and 2013 was statistically significant for males only. The difference between the sexes was statistically significant in 2003 and 2008 only.

Data source: McCreary Centre Society, BC Adolescent Health Survey, 2003, 2008, 2013. Prepared by the Surveillance and Epidemiology Team, BC Office of the Provincial Health Officer, 2016.
 

Figure 36B.1

Notes: "In the past year" means during the 12 months prior to the survey. The differences between years were statistically significant for "All". The differences between 2003 and 2008 and between 2008 and 2013 were statistically significant for both males and females.  The difference between the sexes was statistically significant in 2008 only.

Data source: McCreary Centre Society, BC Adolescent Health Survey, 2003, 2008, 2013. Prepared by the Surveillance and Epidemiology Team, BC Office of the Provincial Health Officer, 2016.
 

Figure 36AB.2

Notes: "In the past year" means during the 12 months prior to the survey. Health authority is based on the location of the school.

Data source: McCreary Centre Society, BC Adolescent Health Survey, 2013. Prepared by the Surveillance and Epidemiology Team, BC Office of the Provincial Health Officer, 2016.
 

Figure 36A.3

Notes: "In the past year" means during the 12 months prior to the survey. Health service delivery area is based on the location of the school.

Data source: McCreary Centre Society, BC Adolescent Health Survey, 2013. Prepared by the Surveillance and Epidemiology Team, BC Office of the Provincial Health Officer, 2016.
 

Figure 36B.3

Notes: "In the past year" means during the 12 months prior to the survey. Health service delivery area is based on the location of the school.

Data source: McCreary Centre Society, BC Adolescent Health Survey, 2013. Prepared by the Surveillance and Epidemiology Team, BC Office of the Provincial Health Officer, 2016.

 

References

  1. Human Rights Code [RSBC 1996, c.210] [statute on the Internet]; [cited 2016 Jun 1]. Available from: http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96210_01.
  2. Paradies Y. A systematic review of empirical research on self-reported racism and health. Int J Epidemiol. 2006 Aug;35(4):888-901. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyl056.
  3. Pascoe EA, Smart Richmond L. Perceived discrimination and health: a meta-analytic review. Psychol Bull. 2009 Jul;135(4):531-54. doi: 10.1037/a0016059.
  4. Luiz Bastos J, Keller Celeste R, Augusto Santos Silva D, Priest N, Paradies Y. Assessing mediators between discrimination, health behaviours and physical health outcomes: a representative cross-sectional study. Soc Psychiatry Epidemiol. 2015 Aug 12;50:1731-42. doi: 10.1007/s00127-015-1108-0.
  5. Viner RM, Ozer EM, Denny S, Marmot M, Resnick M, Fatusi A, et al. Adolescence and the social determinants of health. Lancet. 2012 Apr 28;379(9826):1641-52.
  6. Schmitt M, Branscombe N, Postmes T, Garcia A. The consequences of perceived discrimination for psychological well-being: a meta-analytic review. Psychol Bull. 2014 Jul;140(4):921-48. doi: 10.1037/a0035754.
  7. Williams D, Mohammed S. Discrimination and racial disparities in health: evidence and needed research. J Behav Med. 2009 Nov 22;32:20-47. DOI 10.1007/s10865-008-9185-0.