Ethnicity, self-reported illness and use of medical services by the elderly

Abstract

Analysis of ethnic differences in disease is complicated by the fact that culture has an effect on whether people identify themselves as ill and how often they use medical services. This paper cities evidence to show that use of selected medical services by older members of ethnic groups appears to be high. Although a relatively high amount of disease among minority ethnic groups partly accounts for this, additional explanations--notably, cultural perceptions of doctors and aspects of the ageing migrant's position in society--are suggested.