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Title: Disproportionate Sterilization of Latinos Under California’s Eugenic Sterilization Program, 1920–1945

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2018

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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 in- stitution 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 be- tween 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. (Am J Public Health. 2018;108: 611–613. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304369)

Url: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdfplus/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304369

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Authors: Novak, Nicole, L

Periodical (Full): AJPH Perspectives

Issue: 5

Volume: 108

Pages: 611-613

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Health

Countries: United States