Open AccessPerceived Problems With Access to Medical Care and Depression Among Older Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Other Hispanics, and a Comparison Group of Non-Hispanic Whites
Author(s) -
Marta B. Rodríguez-Galán,
Luis M. Falcón
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of aging and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1552-6887
pISSN - 0898-2643
DOI - 10.1177/0898264308329015
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , gerontology , medicine , multivariate analysis , medical care , ethnic group , family medicine , sociology , anthropology , economics , macroeconomics
The relationship between problems accessing medical care and depression is examined in a sample of older Hispanics (Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Other Hispanic) in Massachusetts and a comparison group of same-neighborhood non-Hispanic Whites. The research questions are: Do older Hispanics experience more problems with access to medical care than do older non-Hispanic Whites? What types of access problems do Hispanics encounter, and how do these relate to depression symptoms? The data come from the Massachusetts Hispanic Elders Study; descriptive and multivariate regression analysis procedures are used. Older Hispanics report more problems obtaining medical care than do older non-Hispanic Whites. Puerto Ricans report significantly more transportation problems to access medical care. For Dominicans and Puerto Ricans, being female, living alone, and lower education attainment are associated with depression. For Puerto Ricans, health problems, disability, and access problems are also significant.