A comparative evaluation of the perceptions of health of elders of different multicultural backgrounds.

The purpose of this study was to discover the perceptions of health and the health maintenance practices of 4 different cultural and ethnic groups. Interviews were conducted at senior citizen centers in and around a large metropolitan center in Texas. Five Native Americans, 44 African Americans, 32 Latinos, and 13 Vietnamese were questioned about their views on being healthy. Huff and Kline's Cultural Assessment Framework was used to analyze the responses. Functionality and independence were dominant themes noted in the responses of all participants from all 4 cultural groups.