Introduction and Purpose: Culture is an important factor in understanding and eliminating disparities in health status among elderly racial and ethnic minorities. Government programs such as Healthy People 2010 and the Initiative to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health highlight the need to improve the health status of multicultural populations, whose elderly component is growing due to changing demographics and increased life expectancy. The purpose of this session is to examine the relationship between culture and disparities in health services and outcomes for elderly Hispanics/ Latinos, Blacks/African Americans, Asians/Pacific Islanders, and American Indians/Alaska Natives.
Content: This session will inform participants about the various cultural factors that affect the health status of elderly racial and ethnic minorities, and how cultural habits and perceptions contribute to disparities in health care access, utilization, quality, and outcomes.
Methods: Panelists will present issues concerning the impact of culture on health disparities among elderly ethnic and racial minority populations, from both patient and provider perspectives. Each panelist will provide recommendations on how changes in current thinking and practices can help eliminate cultural disparities in health status. Following panel presentations, the audience will be encouraged to participate in a discussion of the issues with the panelists.
Importance: This session is relevant to professionals in aging services, health education and other areas of public health, because multicultural population disparities affect every aspect of health services delivery.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this symposium, the participants will be able to: 1) understand how culture affects the health status of elderly racial and ethnic minority populations; 2) recognize how cultural influences and perceptions create disparities in health care service delivery and outcomes; and 3) discuss ideas and strategies to eliminate disparities among elderly multicultural populations
Keywords: Aging, Culture
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.