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Geographical Differences in Access to Care Asian Americans

Nadia Islam, AANCART, Columbia University, 722 W. 168th St., 7th FL, Room 732, Dept. of Epidemiology, New York City, NY 10032, 212-305-9079, nsi3@columbia.edu and Jennifer Tsui, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, AANCART, 722 W. 168th Sreet, 7th Floor, Rm 732, Dept of Epidemiology, New York, NY 10032.

Introduction: Asian American (AA) populations have grown tremendously in New York City (NYC) and Los Angeles (LA). National data collected on AAs often mask geographic differences, especially in terms of accessing care. Purpose: To explore differences between AAs in NYC and LA in regards to their access to healthcare and its effect on health status.

Methods: Two data sets were analyzed: the NYC 2002 Community Health Survey, a city-wide random digit dial (RDD) telephone survey (n= 9674; 529 AAs); and the California Health Interview Survey, a statewide RDD telephone survey (n=55,428; 3928 AAs).

Results: In NYC and LA, 46% and 48% of AAs reported excellent or very good (EX/VG) health, respectively. In NYC, 24% of AAs were uninsured, 32% lacked a usual source of healthcare, and 14% experienced a barrier to care. In LA, 18% of AAs were uninsured, 18% lacked a usual source of healthcare, and 5% experienced a barrier to care. In NYC, 7%* of uninsured AAs reported EX/VG health; in LA, 41%* of uninsured AAs reported EX/VG health. 14%* of AAs in NYC without a usual source of care reported EX/VG health; 42.5%* of AAs in LA lacking a usual source of care reported EX/VG health. Finally, 40%* of AAs in NYC who experienced a barrier to care reported EX/VG health; 78% of AAs in LA who experienced a barrier to care reported VG health. (*=statistically significant)

Conclusions: This study indicates that programs to increase access to care for AAs must be tailored to specific geographic locations.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to

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.

Emerging Health Issues within Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Communities

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA