WED-050 - Age, Sex, and National Origin Influence Health Education and Healthcare Access Among South Asian Patients

Brief Abstract Summary: Recognize key disparities in healthcare access and health education among underserved South Asian patients in the U.S. This cross-sectional survey of low-income, South Asian individuals revealed decreased access to healthcare due to financial and cultural barriers, as well as a desire education regarding feasible healthy diets and exercise activities. Males more often cited doctors as primary information sources, while females preferred the internet. Indian patients expressed greater interest in mental health and substance use education than Pakistani patients. Patients under 40 reported more financial barriers, appointment difficulties, and need for sexual/reproductive health education. The findings highlight the financial, cultural, and systemic obstacles faced by this population and emphasize that South Asian communities are not monolithic. Addressing these disparities through culturally tailored, community-based interventions is critical to advancing health equity.

Detailed abstract description:

Introduction:
South Asian populations in the United States experience disproportionately poor health outcomes. This population often encounters barriers to healthcare access, including cost, lack of health education, and language constraints, exacerbating disparities in health literacy and preventive care. Partnering with community organizations to address these barriers is critical to promoting health equity within this underserved group. Our aim was to assess sources of health information, barriers to health education, and disparities in healthcare access among underserved South Asian patients.

Methods:
In partnership with local health non-profits and South Asian community leaders, a cross-sectional survey was conducted at a free clinic and a health fair with low-income South Asian patients in Michigan. We performed data analysis to study overall trends in health education, needs, and barriers as well as the role of age, sex, and national origin.

Results:
There were 100 total respondents with mean age of 48.4 years. Respondents reported decreased access to healthcare due to financial and cultural barriers, and noted desire for education regarding feasible healthy diets and exercise activities. Males identified a higher rate of doctors or healthcare providers being a primary source of health information (p=0.05), whereas females selected internet search at a higher rate (p=0.06). 93% of males had reliable access to the internet for virtual healthcare appointments compared to 81.4% of females (p=0.0547). Indian patients had a higher rate of desiring mental health educational resources compared to Pakistani patients (41% vs. 12%, p=0.03). Indian patients also had more desire for substance abuse prevention resources (p=0.086) and greater confidence in the healthcare system’s ability to meet their health needs (p=0.091). Patients younger than 40 years old more often cited long wait times as a barrier to accessing healthcare compared to patients over 40 years old (57% vs. 26%, p=0.04). Patients under 40 years old had greater difficulty scheduling medical appointments compared to patients older than 40 years old (p=0.02). Patients under 40 years old had higher rates of financial concerns preventing them from seeking care (p=0.05). Patients under 40 years old were more likely to consider sexual and reproductive health education to be beneficial (20% vs. 4.8%, p=0.03).

Conclusion:
Our results identify significant financial, cultural, and systemic barriers to health literacy and healthcare access among South Asian patients. We also highlight that South Asian communities are not homogenous, but rather have varied health needs depending on age, sex, and national origin.