Healthcare Utilization as a Source of Health Disparities among U.S. Male Immigrants

Jen'nan G. Read, Duke University and Hamad Medical Corporation
Paige Borelli, Duke University

Healthcare utilization has important implications for immigrant health, yet remains under-conceptualized, particularly as it relates to men’s health. This paper uses nationally-representative data from the 2003 New Immigrant Survey (NIS) to compare utilization behaviors and health outcomes among male immigrants (n=3,901) from Mexico, India, and China. We find that Indian males are more likely than their Mexican and Chinese counterparts to interact with the healthcare system and to report good health, findings largely explained by their privileged social position and access to care. Mexican and Chinese males are hindered by their lack of English language proficiency and are more likely to rate their health as poor. In contrast to the results for self-rated health, we find no significant difference in the likelihood of being diagnosed with a medical condition across national-origin groups. These similarities and differences have broader research and policy implications, which we discuss in the conclusion.