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Disproportionate Sterilization of Latinos Under California's Eugenic Sterilization Program, 1920-1945.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:To compare population-based sterilization rates between Latinas/os and non-Latinas/os sterilized under California's eugenics law. METHODS:We used data from 17?362 forms recommending institutionalized patients for sterilization between 1920 and 1945. We abstracted patient gender, age, and institution of residence into a data set. We extracted data on institution populations from US Census microdata from 1920, 1930, and 1940 and interpolated between census years. We used Spanish surnames to identify Latinas/os in the absence of data on race/ethnicity. We used Poisson regression with a random effect for each patient's institution of residence to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and compare sterilization rates between Latinas/os and non-Latinas/os, stratifying on gender and adjusting for differences in age and year of sterilization. RESULTS:Latino men were more likely to be sterilized than were non-Latino men (IRR?=?1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]?=?1.15, 1.31), and Latina women experienced an even more disproportionate risk of sterilization relative to non-Latinas (IRR?=?1.59; 95% CI?=?1.48, 1.70). CONCLUSIONS:Eugenic sterilization laws were disproportionately applied to Latina/o patients, particularly Latina women and girls. Understanding historical injustices in public health can inform contemporary public health practice.

SUBMITTER: Novak NL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5888070 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Disproportionate Sterilization of Latinos Under California's Eugenic Sterilization Program, 1920-1945.

Novak Nicole L NL Lira Natalie N O'Connor Kate E KE Harlow Siobán D SD Kardia Sharon L R SLR Stern Alexandra Minna AM

American journal of public health 20180322 5

<h4>Objectives</h4>To compare population-based sterilization rates between Latinas/os and non-Latinas/os sterilized under California's eugenics law.<h4>Methods</h4>We used data from 17 362 forms recommending institutionalized patients for sterilization between 1920 and 1945. We abstracted patient gender, age, and institution of residence into a data set. We extracted data on institution populations from US Census microdata from 1920, 1930, and 1940 and interpolated between census years. We used ...[more]

PMID: 29565671

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Disproportionate Sterilization of Latinos Under California's Eugenic Sterilization Program, 1920-1945.

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Disproportionate Sterilization of Latinos Under California's Eugenic Sterilization Program, 1920-1945.

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