Health Disparities in Milwaukee by Socioeconomic Status

Background

In 2006, the city of Milwaukee ranked worse than any Wisconsin county for health outcomes and worse than all but 1 county for health determinants.  This research sought to analyze health disparities in Milwaukee by ZIP code and socioeconomic status.  Thirteen health determinants and two health outcomes were compared across ZIP code groups and to the rest of Wisconsin. 

Problem

While there is plenty of information comparing health disparities in Milwaukee with disparities in the rest of the state, little is known about health disparities that may exist within the city of Milwaukee. 

Method

• Stratified Milwaukee ZIP codes into three groups based on socioeconomic status
• Examined 15 health determinants and 2 health outcomes
• Comparisons were made across the ZIP code groups, as well as to the rest of the state

 Findings

• The risk ratio was twice that for the lower SES group than the highest SES group on 5 of the measures.
• Risk ratio was at least 50% greater for the lower SES group than the highest SES group on 13 of the 17 measures
• Highest SES group, which was the healthiest in the city, fared worse than the state average on 6 of the measures.

 

Conclusion

Milwaukee’s poor health and major health disparities have an impact on Wisconsin’s overall health.  In order to improve population health in the state, significant efforts and resources are required to address the disparities and their causes.

Funding Source

• Milwaukee Scholars Program of the Wisconsin Partnership Fund

Partner Organizations

University of Wisconsin Population Health InstituteCenter for Urban Population HealthUniversity of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health 

Principal Investigators

University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute

• Peter M. Vila, BS
• Patrick L. Remington, MD, MPH

Center for Urban Population Health

• Geoff R. Swain, MD, MPH
• Dennis J. Baumgardner, MD
• Ron A. Cisler, PhD

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

• Sara E. Halsmer, BS

Accomplishments to Date

Vila PM, Swain GR, Baumgardner DJ, Halsmer SE, Remington PL, Cisler RA.  (2007).  Health disparities in Milwaukee by socioeconomic status.  Wisconsin Medical Journal, 106(7), 366-372.  ¹ Vila PM, Kempf AM, Booske BC, Peppard PE, Athens JK, Kindig DA, Remington PL.  Wisconsin County Health Rankings, 2006. University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. 2006.