African Americans as a group are less likely to utilize the health care system than whites, a factor that accounts in part for their lower average life expectancy. African American men are less likely to have health insurance and less likely to have seen a physician in the previous year than white men or women. Health care utilization appears poorest among African American males.
The likely association between underutilization of health care services and attitudinal factors warrants increased attention by health care professionals. African-Americans may have more stoic attitudes towards pain and fear by virtue of gender role training (stoic attitudes are often culturally prized among males,) work role training (African Americans are disproportionately represented in physical labor jobs which necessitate tolerance for discomfort,) or due to lower socioeconomic status leading to inability to afford a safe, comfortable environment.
In addition, owing to unethical and inhumane human research projects targeting African Americans such as the Tuskeegee syphilis trials, as well as negative personal experiences, there exists significant mistrust of the health care system among African Americans.
In turn, these attitudes may lead to poorer health outcomes by reducing adaptive responses to pain, injury and fear such as avoidance of painful and dangerous circumstances or seeking health care when ill.
Studies that measure stoic attitudes towards pain, responsiveness to fear, and levels of trust in the health care system are warranted. Appropriate measures of association could then delineate the relationship between these variables and health care utilization rates / health outcomes.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in the session will be able to: 1) Recognize disparities in health care utilization rates based upon race and gender. 2) Identify strategies for intervening with these medically underserved populations. 3) Identify at least three factors acting as barriers to the participation of African American men in the health care system
Keywords: Health Care, Utilization
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.