title: Perceived barriers to health care and health behaviours: implications for Native American elders' self-rated health.
abstract: Little is known about how Native American adults appraise their health in later life. Perceived barriers to health care and health behaviours were examined among 6813 Native elders to determine their unique associations with self-rated health (SRH). Hierarchical regression results showed inability to access needed medical care predicted poorer SRH. Statistically accounting for sociodemographics and barriers to care, health behaviours predicted SRH. The current findings suggest opportunities to improve Native elders' SRH particularly via exercise and good nutrition. In turn, enhanced SRH may lead to improved quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA. joelle.ruthig@und.nodak.edu
authors.forename: Joelle C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ruthig
authors.forename: Bridget L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ludtke
authors.forename: Leander R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009658:North Dakota; D012923:Social Class