Perceptions of health and use of ambulatory care: Differences between Korean and white elderly

This study identifies whether culturally based differences in perceptions o f health resulted in differences in ambulatory care use among the elderly. Methods: The authors conducted stratified Poisson regressions on data from a 1992 survey of older Koreans and Whites in Los Angeles County. The models included measures of demographics, health, functioning, income, insurance, social support, and culture (perceptions of health or other beliefs). Resu lts: Descriptive findings showed older Koreans had more ambulatory physicia n visits, poorer functioning,and poorer perceptions of their health than Wh ites. Multivariate findings showed that positive perceptions of health inde pendently reduced office visits for both Koreans and Whites, but the effect was significantly smaller for Koreans. Other cultural differences also aff ected use. Discussion: The findings highlight differences between older Kor eans and Whites' responses to physical and socioeconomic conditions and the importance of cultural sensitivity in the health care delivery system.