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Health and Health Care Status of African-Born Residents of Metropolitan Washington, DC

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Abstract

This study examines health status, health behaviors, and health care access and utilization among African-born residents of the metropolitan Washington, DC area. A telephone survey was administered to a random sample of 525 African-born adults. Results are compared to those for the general local and regional population. Twenty-nine percent of respondents were uninsured; 24% lacked a usual, appropriate source of primary care. Among female respondents, 44% and 34% reported never having had a mammogram or pap smear, respectively. Most health status indicators demonstrated relatively good health, but 15% of respondents reported one of the infectious diseases we investigated. Consumption of alcohol and tobacco was relatively low. African-born residents are generally at risk regarding access to health care, and certain segments (the uninsured, recent arrivals) face critical access barriers. Infectious diseases are a notable feature of health status, and use of some preventive and dental services is considerably lower than for the general population.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, Maryland

    Joanna E. Siegel

  2. Arlington Health Foundation, Arlington, Virginia

    Joanna E. Siegel

  3. Community Health Resource Center, Richmond, Virginia

    Stephen A. Horan

  4. Ethiopian Community Development Council, Arlington, Virginia

    Tsehaye Teferra

Authors
  1. Joanna E. Siegel
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  2. Stephen A. Horan
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  3. Tsehaye Teferra
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joanna E. Siegel.

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Siegel, J.E., Horan, S.A. & Teferra, T. Health and Health Care Status of African-Born Residents of Metropolitan Washington, DC. Journal of Immigrant Health 3, 213–224 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012231712455

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012231712455

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