Preventive Health Screening Disparities Among Immigrants: Exploring Barriers to Care

This study advances knowledge in this area by investigating the explanatory strength of such factors for cardiovascular risk screening across eight immigrant groups. Using nationally representative data from the National Health Interview Survey, we test the hypothesis that known correlates of preventive healthcare seeking differ in their ability to predict screening behavior depending on region of origin. Results show that health service factors (lack of insurance and no place for care) are fairly consistent predictors of preventive screening while socioeconomic and immigration-related factors are less so. These findings surface the complex processes underlying observed differentials in health-seeking behaviors and illuminate potential targets for public health and clinical intervention.
Source: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research