A staggering number of Americans say that they face discrimination at work, from the police or in other situations that can be linked back to stress and poor health, according to a study released Thursday by the American Psychological Association, USA Today reports.
The study, based on a survey of 3,361 adults last August by Harris Poll on behalf of the association, shows that more than half of U.S. adults say that they have experienced some level of discrimination in the aforementioned areas. Almost 70 percent of those surveyed said that they have experienced discrimination, and 61 percent detailed day-to-day experiences in the form of poor service, threats, lack of respect and more, the report notes.
Claims of discrimination were most widespread among black Americans, more than 75 percent of whom claimed that they experienced day-to-day situations of bias. About 40 percent of black men have reported being treated unfairly by police, including being searched, threatened or abused.
Almost a third of black and Hispanic adults reported being extra careful about their appearance in an effort to be treated well, get good service or not be harassed, which could also raise their stress levels, the APA noted. Almost a quarter of adults who reported being in fair or poor health also said that they have higher-than-average levels of stress, according to the APA.
"It's clear that discrimination is widespread and impacts many people," Jaime Diaz-Granados, the association's executive director for education, said. "When people frequently experience unfair treatment, it can contribute to increased stress and poorer health."
Read more at USA Today.