Barriers and facilitators of health among older adult immigrants in the United States: an integrative review of 20 years of literature. BMC Public Health 2022 Apr 14;22(1):755
Date
04/16/2022Pubmed ID
35421979Pubmed Central ID
PMC9008931DOI
10.1186/s12889-022-13042-xScopus ID
2-s2.0-85128328407 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 8 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: There are over seven million older adult immigrants in the United States, and that number is expected to increase. Older adult immigrants in the United States have unique factors that influence their health.
METHODS: In this integrative review, we systematically review 20 years of peer-reviewed literature on the barriers (i.e. isolation, lack of English Language Proficiency, low health literacy, lack of SES resources, discrimination) and facilitators (i.e. English Language Proficiency and maintaining ones native language, social support, culturally sensitive providers, healthcare access) of health among older adult immigrants in the United States.
RESULTS: We found differing uses of the term 'older adult', emphasis on the lack of homogeneity among older adult immigrants, social support and isolation as significant barriers and facilitators of older adult immigrant health, and inconsistencies in uses and definitions of acculturation. We also examined relevant theories in the literature. Based on the literature review, focusing on Acculturation Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, and Successful Aging Theory, combining these three theories with findings from the literature to create the Older Adult Immigrant Adapted Model for Health Promotion.
CONCLUSIONS: Public health strives to promote health and prevent adverse health outcomes. Our integrative review not only systematically and thoroughly explicates 20 years of literature, but the Older Adult Immigrant Adapted Model for Health Promotion, provides guidance for future research and interventions.
Author List
Hawkins MM, Holliday DD, Weinhardt LS, Florsheim P, Ngui E, AbuZahra TAuthor
Lance S. Weinhardt MS,PhD Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Community and Behavioral Health Promotion in the Joseph. J. Zilber School of Public Health department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AcculturationAged
Emigrants and Immigrants
Health Promotion
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Language
United States