Why Is This Important?
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 |
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 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.Risk Factors
Racial and ethnic minority populations are disproportionately subject to some lifestyle, socio-economic, and other risk factors for poor health outcomes.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.
Date Indicator Content Last Updated: 01/04/2023
Other Views
- Utah population estimates by race, non-White population, 2000-2021
- Percentage of Hispanic/Latino persons by local health district, Utah, 2000 and 2010 Census, and 2021 estimates
- Utah population estimates by Hispanic ethnicity and year, 2000-2021
- Percentage Hispanic ethnicity by Utah small area, 2016-2021 ACS
- Percentage of persons of White race by local health district, 2020, Utah 2021, US 2021
- Percentage of White persons by Utah small area, 2016-2021 ACS