Asian-American elders’ health and physician use: An examination of social determinants and lifespan influences

Duy Nguyen,Megha Goel,Leigh J Bernstein

doi:10.4236/health.2012.411168

Abstract

While the Asian American population is growing rapidly, relatively little research has focused on intergroup health comparisons. The application of the life course perspective sheds new light on the inter-section of the ageing process and social determinants of health. This study compares physician use and health equity among Asian ethnic groups and non-Hispanic Whites. Data on Asian American and non-Hispanic White immigrants over 65 were extracted from the California Health Interview Survey. Weighted logistic regression models were tested applying the Commission on Social Determinants of Health model. Intergroup differences in physician use and health equity were observed. Furthermore, physician use and health varied among the groups by age. The diverse background of older Asian Americans and the differential effects of the ageing process point to the need for novel interventions to promote health among this population.

Highlights

This study focuses on health and physician use among Asian American elders in comparison to Whites, looking at how the aging process affects social determinants of health differently
The life course perspective may be helpful in understanding the differential impact of life experiences, historical events, transitions, and developmental trajectories across the life span of Asian Americans [19] because it posits that individual aging experiences are differentiated by sociohistorical factors, opportunity structures, and life events [20,21]
34% of respondents reported that they spoke English well, despite nearly 40% indicating some form of college education and a substantial 88% having lived in the United States for 15 or more years

Summary

Introduction

Racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States are growing rapidly. Asian immigrants to the United States pose a unique public health challenge given the ethnic diversity within the Asian race and the varied experiences that shape their lives in America. As a racial group affected by migration, Asian Americans face cultural challenges to health equity that compound the effects of social determinants of health. Relatively little health research has focused on Asian Americans [2,3]. In order to address the needs of this growing population, further research must investigate the unique health circumstances of Asian Americans and how the considerable diversity within the population impacts health outcomes

Methods

Results

Conclusion