Access and Use of Health Related Social Services of Immigrants and Native Born Americans

Abstract

We report on findings of an empirical study of knowledge, attitudes and utilization of health related social services by elderly immigrants and native born Americans in Southeast Florida. Major findings based on a random sample of 1438 respondents indicate that immigrant respondents are less healthy, less likely to have a personal physician or medical insurance and are less aware of the health related social services available to them. In addition, our findings indicate that although both groups are basically uninformed with respect to health related social services, the immigrant population is reluctant to use these services even when informed of their availability.