Health disparities and attention to health information by disenfranchised groups

Abstract

Disparities in health outcomes may be explained in part by differences in attention to health information across groups. A series of six studies examined the impression, defense, and fear-reduction motives underlying attention to health information by individuals from traditionally disenfranchised groups. Results suggested that both chronic and situational factors influence activation of impression motives, which in turn produce shame and avoidance of information about stigmatized health issues.