Top

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

Published in:

01-08-2014 | Original Paper

Barriers to Health Care Access Faced by Black Immigrants in the US: Theoretical Considerations and Recommendations

Authors: Edith Gonzo Wafula, Shedra Amy Snipes

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 4/2014

Abstract

Although 54 % of the total black immigrant population is from the Caribbean and 34 % is from Africa, we know relatively little about barriers to healthcare access faced by black immigrants. This paper reviews literature on the barriers that black immigrants face as they traverse the healthcare system and develops a conceptual framework to address barriers to healthcare access experienced by this population. Our contribution is twofold: (1) we synthesize the literature on barriers that may lead to inequitable healthcare access for black immigrants, and (2) we offer a theoretical perspective on how to address these barriers. Overall, the literature indicates that structural barriers can be overcome by providing interpreters, cultural competency training for healthcare professionals, and community-based care. Our model reflects individual and structural factors that may promote these initiatives.

US Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2007.

Passel J, Cohn D. US population projections: 2005–2050. Pew Research Center 2008.

Grieco, E. Race and Hispanic origin of the foreign-born population in the United States: 2007. American Community Survey Reports 2010.

McCabe, K. Caribbean Immigrants in the United States. Migration Policy Institute. 2011.

Becker AE, Arrindell AH, Perloe A, Fay K, Striegel-Moore RH. A qualitative study of perceived social barriers to care for eating disorders: perspectives from ethnically diverse health care consumers. Int J Eat Disord. 2010;43:633–47.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

Odedina FT, Dagne G, LaRose-Pierre M, Scrivens J, Emanuel F, Adams A, Pressey S, Odedina O. Within-group differences between native-born and foreign-born black men on prostate cancer risk reduction and early detection practices. J Immigr Minor Health. 2011;13:996–1004. doi:10.1007/s10903-011-9471-8.PubMedCrossRef

Francois F, Elyse′e G, Shah S, Gany F. Colon cancer knowledge and attitudes in an immigrant Haitian community. J Immigr Minor Health. 2009;11:319–25. doi:10.1007/s10903-008-9126-6.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

Foley EE. HIV/AIDS and African immigrant women in Philadelphia: structural and cultural barriers to care. AIDS Care. 2005;17(8):1030–43.PubMedCrossRef

Carroll J, Epstein R, Fiscella K, Gipson T, Volpe E, Jean-Pierre P. Caring for Somali women: implications for clinician–patient communication. Patient Educ Couns. 2007;66:337–45.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

10.

Jackson JS, Neighbors HW, Torres M, Martin LA, Williams DR, Baser R. Use of mental health services and subjective satisfaction with treatment among black Caribbean immigrants: results from the National Survey of American Life. Am J Public Health. 2007;97(1):60–7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2006.088500.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

11.

Othieno J. Twin cities care system assessment: process, findings, and recommendations. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2007;18:189–213.PubMedCrossRef

12.

Nadeem E, Lange JM, Edge D, Fongwa M, Belin T, Miranda J. Does stigma keep poor young immigrant and U.S.-born black and Latina women from seeking mental health care? Psychiatr Serv. 2007;58(12):1547–54.PubMedCrossRef

13.

Williams DR, González HM, Neighbors H, Nesse R, Abelson JM, Sweetman J, Jackson JS. Prevalence and distribution of major depressive disorder in African Americans, Caribbean blacks, and Non-Hispanic whites results from the National Survey of American Life. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007;64(3):305–15.PubMedCrossRef

14.

McLaren L. Socioeconomic status and obesity. Epidemiol Rev. 2007;29(1):29–48. doi:10.1093/epirev/mxm001.PubMedCrossRef

15.

McLean C, Campbell C, Cornish F. African-Caribbean interactions with mental health services: experiences and expectations of exclusion as reproductive of health inequalities. Soc Sci Med. 2003;56(3):657–69.PubMedCrossRef

16.

Lucas JW, Barr-Anderson DJ, Kington RS. Health status, health insurance and health care utilization patterns of immigrant black men. Am J Public Health. 2003;93(10):1740–7.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

17.

Hammond WP, Mohottige D, Chantala K, Hastings JF, Neighbors HW, Snowden L. Determinants of usual source of care disparities among African American and Caribbean black men: findings from the National Survey of American Life. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2011;22:157–75.PubMedCentralPubMed

18.

Kobetz E, Mendoza AD, Barton B, Menard J, Allen G, Pierre L, Diem J, McCoy V, McCoy C. Mammography use among Haitian women in Miami, Florida: an opportunity for intervention. J Immigr Minor Health. 2010;12:418–21. doi:10.1007/s10903-008-9193-8.PubMedCrossRef

19.

Page LC, Goldbaum G, Kent JB, Buskin SE. Access to regular HIV care and disease progression among black African immigrants. J Natl Med Assoc. 2009;101(12):1230–6.PubMed

20.

Gillespie-Johnson M. HIV/AIDS prevention practices among recent immigrant Jamaican Women. Ethn Dis. 2008;18:175–8.

21.

Gonzalez JR, Consedine NS, McKiernan JM, Spencer BA. Barriers to the initiation and maintenance of Prostate Specific Antigen screening in black American and Afro-Caribbean men. J Urol. 2008;180:2403–8. doi:10.1016/j.juro.2008.08.031.PubMedCrossRef

22.

Hajat A, Lucas JB, Kington R. Health outcomes among Hispanic subgroups: data from the National Health Interview Survey, 1992–95. Adv Data. 2000;310:1–14.PubMed

23.

Edberg M, Cleary S, Vyas S. A trajectory model for understanding and assessing health disparities in immigrant/refugee communities. J Immigr Minor Health. 2011;13:576–84.PubMedCrossRef

24.

Singer M. AIDS and the health crisis of the urban poor: the perspective of critical medical anthropology. Soc Sci Med. 1994;39(7):931–48.PubMedCrossRef

25.

Starfield B. Pathways of influence on equity in health. Soc Sci Med. 2007;64:1355–62.PubMedCrossRef

26.

Griffith DM, Johnson-Lawrence V, Gunter K, Neighbors HW. Race, SES, and obesity among men. Race Soc Probl. 2011;3(4):298–306.CrossRef

27.

Yewoubdar B. Potential HIV risk behaviors among Ethiopians and Eritreans in the diaspora: a bird’s-eye view. Northeast Afr Stud. 2000;7(2):119–42.CrossRef

28.

Heine B, Heine B, editors. African languages: An introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2000.

29.

Benoit C, Shumka L, Barlee D. Stigma and the health of vulnerable women research brief 2010, Women’s Health Research Network.

30.

Henslin J. Essentials of sociology: Down to earth approach. Boston: Person/Allyn & Bacon; 2011.

31.

Barnett K. Infectious disease screening for refugees resettled in the United States. Clin Infect Dis. 2004;39:833–41.PubMedCrossRef

32.

Vickerman M. Crosscurrents: West Indian immigrants and race. New York: Oxford University Press; 1999.

33.

Gee EM, Kobayashi KM, Prus SG. Examining the “healthy immigrant effect” in later life: findings from the Canadian Community Health Survey. Can J Aging. 2004;23(Suppl 1):S61–9.PubMed

34.

Airhihenbuwa CO, Webster JD. Culture and African contexts of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support. J Soc Aspects HIV/AIDS Res Alliance. 2007;1(1):4–13.CrossRef

35.

Corrigan P. How stigma interferes with mental health care. Am Psychol. 2004;59(7):614–25.PubMedCrossRef

36.

Office of Minority Health. Cultural competency. 2005. (http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov).

37.

Purnell JQ, Katz ML, Andersen BL, et al. Social and cultural factors are related to perceived colorectal cancer screening benefits and intentions in African Americans. J Behav Med. 2010;33(1):24–34.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

38.

Copeland VC. African Americans: disparities in health care access and utilization. Health Soc Work. 2005;30(3):266–70.CrossRef

39.

Campinha-Bacote J. A culturally competent model of care for African Americans. Urol Nurs. 2009;29(1):49–54.PubMed

40.

Hruschka DJ. Culture as an explanation in population health. Ann Hum Biol. 2009;36(3):235–47.PubMedCrossRef

Title: Barriers to Health Care Access Faced by Black Immigrants in the US: Theoretical Considerations and Recommendations
Authors: Edith Gonzo Wafula
Shedra Amy Snipes
Publication date: 01-08-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 4/2014
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9898-1

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Barriers to Health Care Access Faced by Black Immigrants in the US: Theoretical Considerations and Recommendations

Abstract

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 4/2014

Insurance, Racial/Ethnic, SES-Related Disparities in Quality of Care Among US Adults with Diabetes

Migrant Women’s Perceptions of Healthcare During Pregnancy and Early Motherhood: Addressing the Social Determinants of Health

Immigration Policy and Access to Health Services

Disparities in Mammography Rate Among Immigrant and Native-Born Women in the U.S.: Progress and Challenges

Assessing the Need for a Medical Interpreter: Are all Questions Created Equal?

Integrated Primary Care Improves Access to Healthcare for Newly Arrived Refugees in Canada