Disproportionate Sterilization of Latinos Under California's Eugenic Sterilization Program, 1920-1945

Nicole L Novak; Natalie Lira; Kate E O'Connor; Siobán D Harlow; Sharon L R Kardia; Alexandra Minna Stern

doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304369

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Disproportionate Sterilization of Latinos Under California's Eugenic Sterilization Program, 1920-1945

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Disproportionate Sterilization of Latinos Under California's Eugenic Sterilization Program, 1920-1945

Nicole L Novak, Natalie Lira, Kate E O'Connor, Siobán D Harlow, Sharon L R Kardia and Alexandra Minna Stern

American journal of public health (1971), Vol.108(5), pp.611-613

05/2018

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2018.304369

PMCID: PMC5888070

PMID: 29565671

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Abstract

To compare population-based sterilization rates between Latinas/os and non-Latinas/os sterilized under California's eugenics law. We used data from 17 362 forms recommending institutionalized patients for sterilization between 1920 and 1945. We abstracted patient gender, age, and institution of residence into a data set. We extracted data on institution populations from US Census microdata from 1920, 1930, and 1940 and interpolated between census years. We used Spanish surnames to identify Latinas/os in the absence of data on race/ethnicity. We used Poisson regression with a random effect for each patient's institution of residence to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and compare sterilization rates between Latinas/os and non-Latinas/os, stratifying on gender and adjusting for differences in age and year of sterilization. Latino men were more likely to be sterilized than were non-Latino men (IRR = 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15, 1.31), and Latina women experienced an even more disproportionate risk of sterilization relative to non-Latinas (IRR = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.48, 1.70). Eugenic sterilization laws were disproportionately applied to Latina/o patients, particularly Latina women and girls. Understanding historical injustices in public health can inform contemporary public health practice.

California

Eugenics - history

Eugenics - legislation & jurisprudence

Eugenics - statistics & numerical data

Female

Hispanic Americans - history

Hispanic Americans - statistics & numerical data

History, 20th Century

Humans

Male

Sterilization, Involuntary - history

Sterilization, Involuntary - legislation & jurisprudence

Sterilization, Involuntary - statistics & numerical data

Details

Title: Subtitle: Disproportionate Sterilization of Latinos Under California's Eugenic Sterilization Program, 1920-1945
Creators: Nicole L Novak - Nicole L. Novak is with the Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Natalie Lira is with the Department of Latina/Latino Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Kate E. O'Connor and Alexandra Minna Stern are with the Department of American Culture, University of Michigan. Siobán D. Harlow and Sharon L. R. Kardia are with the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan
Natalie Lira - Nicole L. Novak is with the Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Natalie Lira is with the Department of Latina/Latino Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Kate E. O'Connor and Alexandra Minna Stern are with the Department of American Culture, University of Michigan. Siobán D. Harlow and Sharon L. R. Kardia are with the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan
Kate E O'Connor - Nicole L. Novak is with the Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Natalie Lira is with the Department of Latina/Latino Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Kate E. O'Connor and Alexandra Minna Stern are with the Department of American Culture, University of Michigan. Siobán D. Harlow and Sharon L. R. Kardia are with the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan
Siobán D Harlow - Nicole L. Novak is with the Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Natalie Lira is with the Department of Latina/Latino Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Kate E. O'Connor and Alexandra Minna Stern are with the Department of American Culture, University of Michigan. Siobán D. Harlow and Sharon L. R. Kardia are with the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan
Sharon L R Kardia - Nicole L. Novak is with the Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Natalie Lira is with the Department of Latina/Latino Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Kate E. O'Connor and Alexandra Minna Stern are with the Department of American Culture, University of Michigan. Siobán D. Harlow and Sharon L. R. Kardia are with the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan
Alexandra Minna Stern - Nicole L. Novak is with the Population Studies Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Natalie Lira is with the Department of Latina/Latino Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Kate E. O'Connor and Alexandra Minna Stern are with the Department of American Culture, University of Michigan. Siobán D. Harlow and Sharon L. R. Kardia are with the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of public health (1971), Vol.108(5), pp.611-613
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2018.304369
PMID: 29565671
PMCID: PMC5888070
NLM abbreviation: Am J Public Health
ISSN: 0090-0036
eISSN: 1541-0048
Grant note: P2C HD041028 / NICHD NIH HHS R21 HG009205 / NHGRI NIH HHS T42 OH008455 / NIOSH CDC HHS
Language: English
Date published: 05/2018
Academic Unit: Public Policy Center (Archive); Community and Behavioral Health
Record Identifier: 9984215144502771

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