The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #55943

Stella M. Yu, ScD, MPH, HRSA/MCHB/ODIM, HRSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, 18-41, Rockville, MD 20857, 301 443-0695, syu@hrsa.gov, Zhihuan J Huang, PhD, HRSA/MCHB/ODIM, 5600 Fishers Lane, 18-41, Rockville, MD 20857, and Gopal K. Singh, PhD, Surveillance Research Pgm, NCI, Suite 504, MSC 8316, 6116 Executive Blvd., Rockville, MD 20852.

Objective. This study examines the health status and health services access and utilization characteristics of U.S. Chinese, East Indian, Filipino, “Other API”, and Non-Hispanic white children, using nationally representative data. Methods. We analyzed the aggregated data file from the National Health Interview Survey from 1997-2000, including 334 Chinese, 287 Asian Indian, 292 Filipino, 696 “Other API” and 29,016 non-Hispanic white children less than 18 years. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between Asian ethnicities and dependent variables, including components of health status, health services access and utilization. Results. Logistic regression reveals that all Asian American children were less likely to miss school because of illness or injury, or have learning disabilities compared to non-Hispanic whites. Other APIs were less likely to report taking prescription medication for at least 3 months, and Asian Indian children were half as likely to report chronic conditions. Chinese children were more likely to be without a physical exam in the past 12 months. All Asian ethnicities were more likely to be without contact with a health professional within the past 12 months. Citizenship/nativity, maternal education attainment, and poverty status were all significant independent risk factors for health care access and utilization. Conclusions. Asian ethnicities and being foreign-born are generally associated with more favorable health status measures such as school absence, learning disability, use of prescription medications, and chronic conditions. However, these attributes are negatively associated with health care access and utilization, suggesting the need for outreach to Asian immigrant populations to educate them on accessing the health care system.

Learning Objectives:

• List major health issues of API children by ethnicity.
• Describle health access and health services utilization patterns of API children by ethnicity.

Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander, Children and Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.