Oral

The diverse experiences of immigrants and minorities in the United States are important issues. This session covers the following important topics: a profile of Chinese American elders enrolled in a primary care-based geriatric program at a community health center in New York City, the implementation and assessment of community-based immunization education in Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander older adult communities, the salience of spirituality for health and well-being among Pacific-American elders, the difference in health and physician use by ethnicity among older Asian immigrants, and depressive symptomatology as a predictor of physical illness and mortality among older Mexican Americans.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe the characteristics of Chinese American elderly who seek geriatric services at the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center. 2. Describe the community-based health education seminar approach to improving knowledge about adult immunization in two Southeast Asian (Laotian and Vietnamese), and two Pacific Islander (Chamorro and Samoan) older adult communities. 3. Describe the factors that influence aging immigrants’ access to health services.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)