title: Vulnerability of older Latino and Asian immigrants with limited English proficiency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the implications of limited English proficiency (LEP) for disparities in health status and healthcare service use of older Latino and Asian immigrants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analysis of existing secondary data.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 2007 California Health Interview Survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Latino and Asian immigrants aged 60 and older (n=1,745) were divided into three language proficiency groups: older adults who have LEP, are proficient in English but also speak another language at home (EP), and speak English only (EO).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sociodemographic characteristics, health status, health service use, and barriers to service use were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Older Latino and Asian immigrants with LEP tended to have poorer self-rated health and higher psychological distress than the EP and EO groups. They were also less likely than the EP and EO groups to use health services and more likely to experience barriers to service use (e.g., difficulty understanding written information at the doctor's office).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older Latinos and Asians with LEP are at higher risk for poor physical and mental health outcomes and inadequate health care. Healthcare systems should consider strategies to address the language needs of older immigrants to reduce the effect of linguistic disparities on access to care and ultimately to improve health status for these vulnerable populations.
authors: Center for Mental Health and Aging, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA. Giyeon.Kim@ua.edu
authors: Giyeon
authors: G
authors: Kim
authors: Courtney B
authors: CB
authors: Worley
authors: Rebecca S
authors: RS
authors: Allen
authors: Latrice
authors: L
authors: Vinson
authors: Martha R
authors: MR
authors: Crowther
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Parmelee
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Chiriboga
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D002140:California; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors