Effects of Service Barriers on Health Status of Older Chinese Immigrants in Canada

Abstract

The authors examine the effects of service barriers on the health status of older Chinese immigrants in Canada. A survey was completed in seven Canadian cities by a random sample of 2,214 older Chinese immigrants age 55 years or older. Service barriers related to administrative problems, personal attitudes, and circumstantial difficulties were significant predictors of physical and mental health when controlling for the demographic factors. Empirically, the findings confirm that service barriers are detrimental to the health of older immigrants. The service barriers in the areas of ethnic, language, or cultural differences between the service providers or services themselves and the older Chinese clients also suggest that factors related to communication contribute to these older clients' perception of services or providers as culturally insensitive or unresponsive. Considering the individual, social, and economic costs incurred by adverse health consequences, barriers in service delivery must be addressed.