title: The search for medical care: an exploration of urban black behavior.
abstract: Results are presented of a study of the medical care-seeking behavior of black adult residents of lower and middle socioeconomic status in two predominantly black, yet geographically and socioeconomically distinct communities within the District of Columbia. Against a varied distribution of primary medical care opportunities within the District, substantial differences are demonstrated in their use by lower- and middle-status residents of a lower-class community. These differences are not, however, manifested among lower- and middle-status residents of an essentially middle-class neighborhood. The patterns of medical care-seeking behavior are observed within a framework of an almost total avoidance of the available medical care personnel and facilities in the proximate suburbs.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001519:Behavior; D004219:District of Columbia; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population