Objective: To develop a conceptual framework for investigating the role of racial/ethnic residential segregation on health care disparities.
Data sources and settings: Review of the MEDLINE and the Web of Science databases for articles published from 1998 to 2011.
Study design: The extant research was evaluated to describe mechanisms that shape health care access, utilization, and quality of preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and end-of-life services across the life course.
Principal findings: The framework describes the influence of racial/ethnic segregation operating through neighborhood-, health care system-, provider-, and individual-level factors. Conceptual and methodological issues arising from limitations of the research and complex relationships between various levels were identified.
Conclusions: Increasing evidence indicates that racial/ethnic residential segregation is a key factor driving place-based health care inequalities. Closer attention to address research gaps has implications for advancing and strengthening the literature to better inform effective interventions and policy-based solutions.
© Health Research and Educational Trust.