Yuri Jang1, Hyunwoo Yoon2, Nan Sook Park3, David A Chiriboga4. 1. School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. 2. School of Social Work, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas. 3. School of Social Work, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. 4. Department of Child and Family Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine the extent to which limited English proficiency (LEP) poses a risk to physical and mental health, using older Korean Americans as a target population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: Older Korean Americans (N = 1,301). MEASUREMENTS: Health outcomes were indexed using binary variables covering activity limitation, self-rated health, and probable depression. Participants who reported that they spoke English less than very well were categorized as manifesting LEP. RESULTS: Approximately 71% of the sample had LEP. Those with LEP scored lower on all measures of health than their English-proficient counterparts. In multivariate models, the risk of having activity limitations was 2.72 times as great (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.72-4.29, P < .001), a fair or poor rating of health 2.59 times as great (95% CI = 1.91-3.49, P < .001), and probable depression 1.73 times as great (95% CI = 1.29-2.31, P < .001) in participants with LEP. CONCLUSION: Limited English proficiency was identified as a critical source of health vulnerability. Systematic efforts should be made to reach out to older immigrants with LEP and include them in health-related research and prevention and intervention programs.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the extent to which limited English proficiency (LEP) poses a risk to physical and mental health, using older Korean Americans as a target population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: Older Korean Americans (N = 1,301). MEASUREMENTS: Health outcomes were indexed using binary variables covering activity limitation, self-rated health, and probable depression. Participants who reported that they spoke English less than very well were categorized as manifesting LEP. RESULTS: Approximately 71% of the sample had LEP. Those with LEP scored lower on all measures of health than their English-proficient counterparts. In multivariate models, the risk of having activity limitations was 2.72 times as great (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.72-4.29, P < .001), a fair or poor rating of health 2.59 times as great (95% CI = 1.91-3.49, P < .001), and probable depression 1.73 times as great (95% CI = 1.29-2.31, P < .001) in participants with LEP. CONCLUSION: Limited English proficiency was identified as a critical source of health vulnerability. Systematic efforts should be made to reach out to older immigrants with LEP and include them in health-related research and prevention and intervention programs.
Authors: Karl Eschbach; Glenn V Ostir; Kushang V Patel; Kyriakos S Markides; James S Goodwin Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2004-10 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Yuri Jang; Nan Sook Park; Hyunwoo Yoon; Ya-Ching Huang; Min-Kyoung Rhee; David A Chiriboga; Miyong T Kim Journal: Health Soc Care Community Date: 2017-06-15
Authors: Yuri Jang; Hyunwoo Yoon; Juyoung Park; Nan Sook Park; David A Chiriboga; Miyong T Kim Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2021-07-14 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Alice Guan; Jin E Kim-Mozeleski; Priyanka Vyas; Susan L Stewart; Ginny Gildengorin; Nancy J Burke; Kris Ma; Amber T Pham; Judy Tan; Qian Lu; Stephen J McPhee; Janice Y Tsoh Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2021-06