Ethnic Minority Elders Research Articles

Social participation and its gender differences among ethnic minority elders after poverty alleviation relocation (Linxia, China)

AbstractThe implementation of the poverty alleviation relocation policy in northwestern minority areas of China has had a significant impact on the production and living spaces of residents. Our investigation and research have shown that the social participation of ethnic minorities is influenced not only by their social and cultural norms but also to a large extent by public policies. China’s policy of relocating people to alleviate poverty has indirectly affected the social participation of elderly ethnic minorities through the relocation of households and the reconstruction of community living spaces and infrastructure. On the one hand, the family production of elders has decreased significantly, while the number of elders participating in housework and leisure activities has increased. On the other hand, although the relocation has accelerated the modernization process in ethnic minority areas, the market work of elders who aged over 50 has not increased much to compensating the job losses. As a result, the overall productivity of the elderly has declined, and their social participation has weakened. Elderly men have been more affected by social changes than elderly women and have borne more adaptation pressures. There are significant differences in leisure activities between elderly men and women. Ethnic and religious activities have remained largely unchanged, while social activities are insufficient and may not promote good health. It is important to encourage elderly individuals, particularly men, to acquire marketable skills and assist them in finding employment. Additionally, promoting social activities for elder individuals can help create a more harmonious community.

“Life is Bitter and Sweet”: The Lived Experience of Ethnic Minority Elders with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Rural, Thailand

The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of ethnic minority elders (EME) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to understand an individual's experience, perception, and behaviors connected to T2DM in rural areas where support is limited. The hermeneutic phenomenological methodology was used to explore the lived experience of EME with T2DM by using conversational interviews. Twenty EME were interviewed. The data analysis and interpretation followed the thematic analysis by van Manen. Analysis highlighted an overarching theme of "Life is Bitter and Sweet" and three main themes: (1) the struggle of living with diabetes, (2) living with inequalities, and (3) dealing with diabetes that reflects the experiences of EME with T2DM living in underserved areas based on the cultures, beliefs, and spirits. The finding led to recommendations to strengthen interventions by family members, improve supportive systems and services to improve knowledge, self-management, and maintain physical well-being in order to increase the quality of life for the EME with T2DM.

Feasibility and Acceptability of the HOME Model to Promote Self-Management Among Ethnic Minority Elderly with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Rural Thailand: A Pilot Study.

Introduction:Ethnic minority elderly (EME) people are recognized as a vulnerable group who have higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than the majority of the population. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and effect of the HOME model (Home intervention; Online monitoring; Multidisciplinary approach; and Equity and education) specifically for enhancing self-management activities, glycemic control, and satisfaction of EME with T2DM in rural areas in Thailand.Methods:In this quasi-experimental study, a single group used a pre-test and post-test, which were conducted as a pilot study to examine the effect of the HOME model.Results:Overall, 23 dyads of EME with T2DM and their family caregivers completed the 12-week intervention. They reported that the HOME model was helpful and motivating, and they reported satisfaction with the service provided. EME with T2DM showed significant reduction of blood glucose level, and significant improvement in self-management activities, happiness, and satisfaction compared with baseline. Family caregivers had also significant improvements in happiness and reported satisfaction with the HOME model.Conclusion:The primary evidence suggested that the HOME model was acceptable and feasible for EME with T2DM and their families in rural Thailand.

Effects of Bilingual Experience on Cognitive Inhibition in Ethnic Minority Elderly People

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Letter to the Editor

Dr. Bharathy Kumaravel
 
 Journal of Medical Education Research
 University of Buckingham Press
 51 Gower Street
 London
 WC1E 6HJ
 
 9th June 2021
 
 Dear Editor,
 
 Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has become the gold standard for clinical decision-making and customary practice over the last few decades. As recently qualified junior NHS doctors, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the practical relevance and importance of developing the skills of effective literature search and critical appraisal to be able to utilise it in our daily clinical practice.
 
 This letter is to bring to your kind attention our own reflection of training opportunities we had in relation to EBM and public health in our undergraduate curriculum. This training has helped us to survive our initial clinical years, made even more challenging by COVID-19 and ever-evolving medical knowledge. As per Meats, Heneghan, Crilly and Glasziou (2009) there is significant variation in EBM undergraduate teaching in medical schools in the UK and although core EBM topics are taught in theory, relatively few medical students gain the opportunity to practice or assess such skills. 
 
 As medical students at the University of Buckingham Medical School (UBMS), we formed a group called ‘UBMS public health crew’. We were able to go into community lunch clubs and conduct one-to-one interviews with the elderly ethnic minority communities to gain their perceptions and possible barriers they face regarding influenza vaccination uptake. We also had the annual EBM conference conducted by the medical school where we were able to submit our reports of concise and efficient implementation of EBM on clinical questions we formed during our clinical years. These were then showcased as posters, with the best examples also being presented with a prize of EBM champion for the best presentation. To our knowledge, student initiatives surrounding the clinical application of EBM is unique to University of Buckingham.
 
 The culmination of this training resulted in us continuing to incorporate EBM into our clinical practice and with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it showed how EBM became almost a necessity in our clinical practice. During the initial wave, many junior doctors were redeployed to COVID specific wards. Clinicians caring for these patients were eager to learn more about the disease. As a result, at our hospital, a journal club was setup to critically analyse recent publications on COVID-19. A topic that was discussed was fluid administration in these patients. An initial management strategy had been to restrict fluid administration to these patients to avoid causing an acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, as more evidence emerged it became clear that this had potentially harmful effects. This led to the advocation of judicious fluid management. Our early exposure to the practical application of EBM has nurtured a dynamic approach to clinical medicine in a profession where what is best for the patient today is not necessarily the case tomorrow.
 
 In addition to our clinical application, we have also continued our research on EBM teaching for medical students. By presenting our research with posters and publications we are continuing to expand our research on this field with further opportunities.
 
 In conclusion, having formal modules on developing EBM skills as well as having interactive and real-time opportunities for medical students to expand on their EBM interests such as having community-based EBM projects and implementation of EBM in clinical practice are imperative to ensure future clinicians deliver scientifically sound clinical care that is in line with ever evolving medical research and to deal with unprecedented medical challenges.
 
 Sincerely,
 
 Dr. Fathima Rawther and Dr. Justin Collis
 Foundation Year 2 Doctors
 Royal Berkshire Hospital and Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals
 
 
 
 References
 Meats, E., Heneghan, C., Crilly, M. and Glasziou, P., 2009. Evidence-based medicine teaching in UK medical schools. Medical Teacher, 31(4), pp.332-337.

Diversity-mainstreaming in times of ageing and migration: implementation paradoxes in municipal aged care provision

ABSTRACT Accompanying a shift from multiculturalism to assimilation in integration discourse, several European immigration countries have shifted from multiculturalist to diversity-mainstreaming policies in the aged care sector. This paper answers the question to what extent diversity-mainstreaming policies provided scope for crafting care provision that is responsive to the needs of ethnic minority elders. To study the implementation of diversity-mainstreaming policies in aged care we conducted a two-year qualitative study in Nijmegen and The Hague, The Netherlands. We identified a mix of mainstreamed and ethno-specific aged care provision which reflected stakeholders’ ongoing practical concern with diversity among ethnic minority elders. Nevertheless, we found diversity-mainstreaming policies to be plagued by implementation paradoxes. In some interpretations, ‘diversity’ inhibited concrete action to address inequality experienced by ethnic minorities. When ‘diversity’ did provide space to tailor services, these were framed as temporary responses to the language barriers of the current generation of ethnic minority elders. We found this assimilationist framing to undermine long-term investment in the local knowledge needed to reach minority elders. We suggest that policymakers renew support for ethno-specific services and intercultural expertise to successfully meet the diverse care needs of current and future generations of older minority populations.

Working towards health equity for ethnic minority elders: spanning the boundaries of neighbourhood governance.

This paper analyses how neighbourhood governance of social care affects the scope for frontline workers to address health inequities of older ethnic minorities. We critically discuss how an area-based, generic approach to service provision limits and enables frontline workers' efforts to reach out to ethnic minority elders, using a relational approach to place. This approach emphasises social and cultural distances to social care and understands efforts to bridge these distances as "relational work". The authors conducted a two-year multiple case study of the cities of Nijmegen and The Hague, the Netherlands, following the development of policies and practices relevant to ethnic minority elders. They conducted 44 semi-structured interviews with managers, policy officers and frontline workers as well as 295h of participant observation at network events and meeting activities. Relational work was open-ended and consisted of a continuous reorientation of goals and means. In some cases, frontline workers spanned neighbourhood boundaries to connect with professional networks, key figures and places meaningful to ethnic minority elders. While neighbourhood governance is attuned to equality, relational work practice fosters possibilities for achieving equity. Further research on achieving equity in relational work practice and more explicit policy support of relational work is needed. The paper contributes empirical knowledge about how neighbourhood governance of social care affects ethnic minority elders. It translates a relational view of place into a "situational" social justice approach.

Adaptation of an Evidence-Based Intervention for Disability Prevention, Implemented by Community Health Workers Serving Ethnic Minority Elders

Changing demographics have created substantial unmet needs for mental health and physical disability services for immigrant and racial/ethnic minority elders. Workforce shortages can be reduced by task-shifting to community health workers (CHWs) who speak the same language and share the culture of these elders. Yet, implementation of interventions offered by CHWs requires adaptations of content and delivery, ideally under clinical supervision. To culturally adapt two evidence-based interventions, offered in community settings, to address mental health and physical disability prevention for diverse minority elders. We followed the Castro-Barrera stepped model for cultural adaptation of two evidence-based interventions into one combined program of disability management and prevention delivered by CHWs. We used feedback from key stakeholders, including four clinical supervisors, 16 CHWs, 17 exercise trainers, and 153 participants, collected at three time points to further adapt the intervention to a diverse population of elders. Adaptations for administration by CHWs/exercise trainers included: systematization of supervision process, increased flexibility in sessions offered per participants' needs, inclusion of self-care content, modification of materials to better reflect elders' daily life experiences, and greater focus on patient engagement in care. Areas for additional adaptation included enhancing examples with culturally relevant metaphors, incorporating visual aids, and training CHWs in the importance of building trust. This study identifies key aspects of the cultural adaptation process that facilitates broader cultural sensitivity of service delivery by CHWs to diverse elders in community settings.

Ethnicity and health inequalities: an empirical study based on the 2010 China survey of social change (CSSC) in Western China

BackgroundIn China, ethnic minorities often live in frontier areas and have a relatively small population size, and tremendous social transitions have enlarged the gap between eastern and western China, with western China being home to 44 ethnic minority groups. These three disadvantages have health impacts. Examining ethnicity and health inequality in the context of western China is therefore essential.MethodsThis paper is based on data from the 2010 China Survey of Social Change (CSSC2010), which was conducted in 12 provinces, autonomous regions and province-level municipalities in western China and had a sample size of 10,819. We examined self-rated health and disparities in self-rated health between ethnic minorities and Han Chinese in the context of western China. Self-rated health was coded as poor or good, and ethnicity was coded as ethnic minority or Han Chinese. Ethnic differences in self-rated health was examined by using binary logistic regression. Associations among sociodemographic variables, SES variable, health behaviour variable, health problem variables and self-rated health were also explored.ResultsFourteen percent of respondents reported their health to be poor. A total of 15.75% of ethnic minorities and 13.43% of Han Chinese respondents reported their health to be poor, indicating a difference in self-rated health between ethnic minorities and Han Chinese. Age, gender, marital status, education, alcohol, and health problems were the main factors that affected differences in self-rated health.ConclusionIn western China, there were obvious ethnic disparities in self-rated health. Elderly ethnic minorities, non-partnered ethnic minorities, ethnic minorities with an educational level lower than middle school, and ethnic minorities with chronic disease had higher odds of poor self-rated health.

Representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic patients in secondary care mental health services: analysis of 7-year access to memory services in Leicester and Leicestershire.

We aimed to explore access by Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) elders to the memory services in Leicester and Leicestershire, examining any trends over time. We then compared the odds of referral by ethnicity, using observed versus expected referrals for the city of Leicester. We gathered data on a comprehensive county-wide memory clinic used by people with suspected dementia and memory problems from the Trust electronic record system during the period 2011-2017. For Leicester city, we compared referral rates for 2011-2017 and compared observed and expected referral rates with demographics from the UK Census 2011. In Leicester, there was a significant underrepresentation of referrals from the BAME population as compared with the White population in 2011, 2012 and 2013, when compared with population estimates of those aged ≥60 years from the 2011 UK Census Leicester city data. Data for the Black population were too small for comparisons. The odds of being referred to a memory clinic for the White group was double that of the Asian group in 2011 (odds ratio 2.15, 95% CI 1.52-3.02) and nearly 1.5 times in 2012 (odds ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.01-1.93). This difference did not persist after 2014. However, this differential odds of referral changes when the age difference between the groups is accounted for. After adjusting for age, there were no differences between the two groups in their odds of referral to the memory clinic from 2011 to 2013, but from 2014 to 2017, members of the Asian group had higher odds of being referred. The relationship between BAME and access to memory services is complex. The relative lower prevalence of Asian people among referrals to memory services in Leicester from 2011 to 2013 may partly be explained by the lower ages of the Asian population at referral. The higher prevalence of Asian people in 2014-2017 may be owing to use of denominators from the 2011 UK Census, which are likely to be disproportionately low for this group. Further studies are needed to explore any potential barriers to the access of services by BAME communities.

Social Support and Life Satisfaction of Ethnic Minority Elderly in China.

Previous studies indicate that Han and ethnic minority groups in China are not homogeneous. However, little research has examined potential heterogeneity in the association between social support and life satisfaction across Han and ethnic minority elderly. Based on data from the 2014 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey, this study uses ordered logit models with interaction terms to examine the relationship between social support and the life satisfaction of ethnic minority elderly and of elderly Han Chinese. We find that support from families and friends has a stronger association with the life satisfaction of ethnic minority elderly than their Han peers. For ethnic minority elderly, the patterns of family support varied according to rural or urban residence, with family support being less important to the life satisfaction of ethnic minority elderly living in urban communities than in rural areas. Our findings suggest that social policy should take this heterogeneity between ethnic groups into account.

AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING AND HEALTH AMONG LOW-INCOME OLDER IMMIGRANTS: THE ROLE OF SERVICE USES

Older immigrants in affordable senior housing face a unique set of challenges due to their demographic, social, economic, and cultural diversity. Existing knowledge about health among this unique but increasing aging subgroup population is extremely limited. Focusing on older immigrants subgroups (Asian and Russian older adults) in affordable senior housing in St.Louis, MO, this study aimed to examine to what extent different ethnic minority elders’ health varies by their uses of services available in the housing. Data came from the survey interviews at a subsidized independent senior housing in St. Louis (n=136). Hierarchical multiple regressions were used to examine ethnic differences in self-rated health and the role of services for the health of low-income ethnic minor elders in senior housing. Compared to the non-immigrants (White/African older adults), Asian (b=0.67, p<.05) and Russian residents (b=0.89, p<.05) were likely to have lower self-rated health. Interestingly, for both ethnic groups, they report a better self-rated health when they use supportive daily service (i.e. e.g. meal delivery, transportation, housekeeping and others) (b= -0.84, p<.05 for Asian, b=- 0.90, p<.05.for Russian) and social service (e.g. recreational, wellness, and exercise programs) (b= -0.73, p<.05 for Asian, b=- 0.83, p<.05.for Russian). Our findings point to an important role of services for the health of low-income ethnic minor elders in senior housing. As the first attempt to examine services that explicitly focus on ethnic minority elders, our study provides meaningful implications for future research on the health and service needs for older immigrant populations in senior housing.

LINKING ETHNIC MINORITY ELDERS TO PROGRAMS AND SERVICES: CHALLENGES TO BUILDING NETWORKS

Building networks that are effective in linking older adults to supportive programs and services often involves challenges related to access, eligibility requirements, the elder's ability to understand enrollment processes, and lack of trust in service providers. For ethnic minority elders these challenges are often greater due to additional linguistic and cultural barriers. The four presentations on this panel address challenges to building effective service networks for ethnic minority elders using data derived from focus groups with members of these communities and those tasked with providing their care. The first presentation (Graham and Tseng) examines the Village model, a model designed to empower older adults, and asks why more Latino, African American and Asian elders do not participate. The second paper (Ågård) looks at communication difficulties as a source for understanding the nature of cross-cultural discussions around end of life issues with ethnic minority patients. The third paper (Ajrouch, Janevic, and Antonucci) explores how caregiving programs for Alzheimer’s Disease patients can be modified to better serve Arabic speaking caregivers. The final paper (Ring, Liebman, Glicksman and Rodriguez) uses data collected among Spanish and Chinese (Mandarin) speaking elders to design a conceptual model which describes how ethnic minority and other elderly navigate the Long Term Care Services and Supports network. Our respondent will place these papers within the growing theoretical work on diversity and care support.

EXPLORING HOW CARE PROVIDERS TALK ABOUT COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTIES WITH ETHNIC MINORITY PATIENTS

Previous research into cross-cultural interactions in health care settings shows that care providers experience communicating with elderly ethnic minority patients as problematic. According to the social constructionist framework upon which this presentation draws, people negotiate the characteristics they ascribe to the world around them through talk. It is against this backdrop that the presentation – which is based on a focus group study with end-of-life care providers (n=60) – sets out to explore how care providers talk about communication difficulties with elderly ethnic minority patients. The presentation demonstrates how the study of communication difficulties can illustrative the challenges of cross-cultural interaction in end-of-life care settings. Through the attention on how communication difficulties are discussed, this presentation shifts the focus from the elderly ethnic minority patients and the reasons for why they are experienced as problematic when it comes to communication, to the actual process where these problems are negotiated.

Mental Health Issues in Racial and Ethnic Minority Elderly.

With the current demographic shifts, the USA will soon become a "majority minority" country. While the population of the USA over the age of 65years is projected to increase from 13.5% to 20% in 2030, racial and ethnic minority elderly, who are now 21% of the population, will increase to 44% by 2060. As the population of racial and ethnic minority elderly continues to grow, there is a demographic and public health imperative to understand how to better care for this population. This review evaluates the impact of race, ethnicity, and culture on the aging process, psychopathology, psychiatric care, psychiatric education, and clinical research. Relevant advances in recent literature are reviewed, and gaps in cultural competency education and training, and clinical research are identified. Clinical recommendations and future directions are highlighted, as an effort to improve care for this underserved population at risk. By striving to better care for racial and ethnic minority elders, one of the most marginalized populations, health care is improved for all.

Exploring health care workers’ perceptions and experiences of communication with ethnic minority elders

PurposeThere is a recognition in Europe and in the western world of a demographic shift in the ageing population. While the overall ageing of the general population is growing, the numbers of immigrants getting old in their host countries is also increasing, thereby increasing the racial and ethnic proportion of older people in these countries. This changing landscape calls for understanding of issues related to health care provision, policy and research regarding ethnic minorities. Communication is seen as a key factor in understanding the needs of ethnic minority elders (EMEs). The purpose of this paper is to explore health care workers’ (HCWs) perceptions and experiences of communication with EMEs. In this paper the term HCW includes qualified nurses and health care assistants.Design/methodology/approachA descriptive qualitative study design using semi-structured interviews was employed. Ten HCWs, who had ethnic minorities in their care were individually interviewed to explore their perceptions and experiences of communication when caring for EMEs.FindingsAnalysis of data revealed that in common with all older people, EMEs experience stereotyped attitudes and difficulties in communication. However, EMEs face particular challenges, including cultural differences, different language and stereotyping of care based on misunderstood needs of EMEs. Facilitators of communication included appropriate training of HCWs and appropriate use of interpreters.Research limitations/implicationsOnly homes willing to take part in the study gave permission for their staff to be interviewed. In addition, the HCWs came from various settings. Therefore, views of staff in homes who did not give permission may not be represented.Practical implicationsThe diversity of older people needing care in nursing homes and the community calls for training in culturally competent communication for effective provision care provision for EMEs.Originality/valueTraining of health care staff in culturally appropriate communication requires effective practice.

Performance of middle-aged and elderly European minority and majority populations on a Cross-Cultural Neuropsychological Test Battery (CNTB)

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine test performance on a cross-cultural neuropsychological test battery for assessment of middle-aged and elderly ethnic minority and majority populations in western Europe, and to present preliminary normative data. Method: The study was a cross-sectional multi-center study. Tests in the European Cross-Cultural Neuropsychological Test Battery (CNTB) cover several cognitive domains, including global cognitive function, memory, executive functions, and visuospatial functions. Results: A total of 330 participants were included: 14 Moroccan, 45 Pakistani/Indian Punjabi, 41 Polish, 66 Turkish, and 19 former Yugoslavian minority participants, and 145 western European majority participants. Significant differences between ethnic groups were found on most CNTB measures. However, ethnic groups differed greatly in demographic characteristics and differences in test scores were mainly related to educational differences, explaining an average of 15% of the variance. Preliminary multicultural CNTB normative data dichotomized by education and age were constructed using overlapping cells. Applying this normative data across the whole sample resulted in an acceptable number of participants scoring in the impaired range across all ethnic groups. Factor analyses found the CNTB to have a stable and clinically meaningful factor structure. Conclusions: The CNTB represents the first European joint effort to establish neuropsychological measures appropriate for ethnic minority populations in western Europe. The CNTB can be applied in approximately 60 min, covers several cognitive domains, and appears appropriate for assessment of the targeted populations. However, due to the small sample size in some ethnic groups further studies are needed replicate and support this.

The Role of Cultural and Family Values on Social Connectedness and Loneliness among Ethnic Minority Elders

ABSTRACTObjectives: Ethnic minority elders have high levels of social isolation and loneliness. Assumptions about the family providing enough social support exist in the literature, contradicting ethnic minority elders’ reported levels of isolation and loneliness. While structural barriers influence feelings of isolation and loneliness, limited information exists about the role of cultural factors such as acculturation and family values. Accordingly, this study investigated the roles of acculturation and family values on loneliness and social isolation among ethnic minority elders.Methods: Ethnic minority elders (N = 123) completed a questionnaire that assessed their social connectedness, measured by social network and levels of loneliness, and structural factors such as income. Additionally, cultural and family values were assessed by acculturation and the ‘family as referents’ dimension of familism, which refers to the belief that family members’ behaviour should meet with familial expectations.Results: Statistical analysis using hierarchical regression indicated that ‘family as referents’ and acculturation predicted loneliness, but not social network.Conclusions: This study raises the importance of considering cultural values when investigating predictors of loneliness among ethnic minority elders.Clinical Implications: Findings highlight the importance of addressing familial expectations in programs aimed at alleviating loneliness among ethnic minority elders.

Interventions to improve social determinants of health among elderly ethnic minority groups: a review.

Like the European general population, ethnic minorities are aging. In this group, important social determinants of health (social participation, social isolation and loneliness) that lead to negative health outcomes frequently occur. Interventions targeting these determinants may decrease negative health outcomes. The goal of this article was to identify effective interventions that improve social participation, and minimise social isolation and loneliness in community dwelling elderly ethnic minorities. An electronic database (PubMed) was systematically searched using an extensive search strategy, for intervention studies in English, French, Dutch of German, without time limit. Additional articles were found using references. Articles were included if they studied an intervention aimed to improve social participation or minimise social isolation or loneliness and were focusing on community dwelling elderly ethnic minorities. Data regarding studies characteristics and results were extracted. Six studies (three randomized controlled trials, three non-controlled intervention studies) were included in the review. All studies were group-based interventions and had a theoretical basis. Five out of six studies showed improvement on a social participation, -isolation or loneliness outcome. Type of intervention included volunteering-, educational- and physical activities. In three studies active participation of the participant was required, these interventions were not more effective than other interventions. Some interventions improved the included social determinants of health in community dwelling elderly ethnic minorities. Investment in further development and implementation of these interventions may help to improve social determinants of health in these populations. It is necessary to evaluate these interventions in the European setting.

Association of Self-Reported Discrimination and Suicide Ideation in Older Chinese Americans

This study examines racial discrimination as a potential novel risk factor for suicide ideation among older Chinese Americans. In a cross-sectional analysis, this study drew on data collected in the Population-based Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago on Chinese older adults age 60 + in the Greater Chicago area (N = 3,157). Thirty-day suicide ideation was a dichotomous variable, derived from items of the Physical Health Questionnaire and the Geriatric Mental State Examination-Version A. Self-reported discrimination was dichotomously coded, based on the Experiences of Discrimination instrument, which asks respondents whether they have ever experienced discrimination in nine situations because of their race/ethnicity/color. About 4.1% of the sample reported 30-day suicide ideation and 21.5% reported discrimination. Self-reported discrimination was significantly associated with suicide ideation before and after adjusting for covariates including sociodemographic characteristics; neuroticism; social relationships; and physical, cognitive and mental health. In the fully adjusted model, those who reported discrimination had 1.9 times higher odds (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.18-3.08; Wald χ2 = 6.9, df = 1, p = 0.01) of suicide ideation than those who did not. Chinese American seniors who reported discrimination had an almost twofold greater odds of 30-day suicide ideation compared with those who did not. Clinicians need to recognize the impact of discrimination on ethnic minority elders. For those who report experiencing discrimination, assessment of suicide risk may be necessary. Efforts to promote civil rights and reduce discrimination may also be a form of primary prevention of suicide.