Health service use was compared in Russian immigrant (n ≤ 105) and White nonimmigrant (n ≤ 101) older persons. Study participants completed a health utilization questionnaire, the Short-Form-36 Health Survey, and a health behavior diary. Controlling for health status and demographic variables, Russians reported significantly more service use, fewer physical access problems, and lower appointment availability, but nonimmigrants reported significantly more provider problems. Significant predictors of service use for the total sample included symptom self-care, health status, and age. In group-specific analyses, health status and age were significant for both groups and education was also significant for Russians. Copyright © 2007 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

immigrants health service use Older persons Russians

Russia Russian Federation human Health Behavior sex difference middle aged statistics health service comparative study health status Aged ethnology United States Humans male female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics patient satisfaction health services Article migration age Sex Factors Age Factors Utilization Review Emigration and Immigration Self Care Health Services Accessibility health care delivery