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Health Indicator Report of Utah population characteristics: racial and ethnic composition of the population

Our current health system was developed based on the needs and perspectives of the White/Anglo-American Utah culture. As a result, Utahns of other cultures often experience barriers to receiving culturally sensitive and appropriate health care. Because of this and other social factors (e.g., the proportion of workers in "blue-collar" jobs without health benefits, lack of trust in the health care system, a greater burden of poverty among many racial and ethnic groups), the health status of non-Anglo ethnic groups is often poorer than that of the mainstream population. Reducing racial and ethnically-based health disparities is an overarching goal of the U.S. Public Health Service's Healthy People 2010 and 2020 initiatives and the Utah Department of Health Office of Health Disparities.

Race distribution: Utah population estimates by race, non-White population, 2000-2021

Notes

The years 2000 and 2010 are from the decennial censuses. Years 2001 through 2009 are intercensal estimates. Years 2011 through 2021 are postcensal estimates.

Data Source

Population Estimates by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin for Counties in Utah, U.S. Bureau of the Census, IBIS Version 2021

Data Interpretation Issues

The proportion of non-White race groups is relatively small in Utah. As a result, comparisons across racial and ethnic groups can be problematic. In the year 2000, the U.S. Bureau of the Census changed its methodology for collecting racial information on the decennial census. Prior to 2000, individuals were asked to report their primary race, but in the year 2000, individuals were asked to check all racial and ethnic categories that applied to them. They have since "bridged" the 2000 Census data to reflect the previous "primary race" concept.

Definition

Number and percentage distribution of racial and ethnic populations.

Numerator

Number of persons in each racial/ethnic group in Utah.

Denominator

Total number of persons in Utah in each geography for year(s) listed.

How Are We Doing?

The Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Hispanic/Latino populations are growing at faster rates than the state population as a whole. At the time of the 2000 U.S. Census, 85% of Utah's population was White only and non-Hispanic. It is now at approximately 77.8% according to the 2021 Census QuickFacts (https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/UT,US/PST045221) . Roughly one out of every five Utahns belong to an ethnic or racial minority group, including Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, and Black. Utah can improve the health of all its citizens, Anglo or otherwise, through the promotion of healthy lifestyles and improving access to timely health care that includes routine screening and effective treatment of physical and mental health problems when indicated.

What Is Being Done?

There are various programs across the state directed at improving the health of individuals from diverse backgrounds and ensuring their access to care.

Available Services

The Utah Department of Health Office of Health Disparities provides a variety of services to assist ethnic and racial minorities in accessing health care. Visit their Website for more information:[[br]] [http://health.utah.gov/disparities]
Page Content Updated On 01/04/2023, Published on 01/05/2023
The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services IBIS-PH web site (http://ibis.health.state.gov). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Tue, 19 March 2024 0:17:28 from Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health Web site: http://ibis.health.state.gov ".

Content updated: Thu, 5 Jan 2023 14:51:11 MST