METROPOLITAN GOVERNANCE, RESIDENTIAL SEGREGATION, AND MORTALITY AMONGAFRICAN-AMERICANS

Objectives. This study tested the hypothesis that the degree to which local government is metropolitanized is associated with mortality rate s for African Americans and with residential segregation, which has it self previously been shown to be positively associated with mortality among African Americans. Methods. One hundred fourteen US standard met ropolitan statistical areas were examined. The primary dependent varia ble was the age-adjusted, race-and sex-specific all-cause mortality ra te, averaged for 1990 and 1991, The 2 primary independent variables we re residential segregation, as measured by the index of dissimilarity, and metropolitanization of government, as measured by the central cit y's elasticity score. Results. Mortality rates for male and female Afr ican Americans were lower in metropolitan statistical areas with more metropolitanized local governments and lower levels of residential seg regation. Mortality for male and female Whites was not associated in e ither direction with residential segregation. White male mortality sho wed no association with level of metropolitanization, but lower White female mortality rates were associated with less metropolitanization. Conclusions. This study suggests the need for further research into wh ether Policy changes in areas not traditionally thought of as ''health policy'' areas can improve the health of urban minorities.