title: The role of race and english proficiency on the health of older immigrants.
abstract: This study applies the Commission on Social Determinants of Health model to identify the effect of ethnicity/race and English proficiency on the health of older immigrants. California Health Interview Survey data of foreign-born respondents aged 65 and over were used to examine the four outcomes of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The study included 1,196 immigrant Latinos, Asians, and non-Hispanic Whites. The results show that ethnicity/race-based differences in HRQOL exist. Furthermore, the results indicate that English proficiency has a significant moderating relationship on racial/ethnic background. The likelihood of reporting more Limited Combined Days increased with lower levels of English proficiency for both Latino and Asian-American old adults as compared to non-Hispanic Whites. In addition to focusing on racial disparities, health promotion efforts with older immigrants need to examine language-based stratification. Social work and gerontological advocates need to develop and employ evidence-based interventions that reach limited-English-proficient older immigrants to address the health, psychosocial, and access to health care challenges they face.
authors.affiliation: Silver School of Social Work, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA. Duy.nguyen@nyu.edu
authors.forename: Duy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Leigh J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Reardon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian / Q000208:ethnology; D002140:California; D003144:Communication Barriers; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000208:ethnology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D057220:Health Literacy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology