Health care expenditures among Asian American subgroups

Abstract

Using two nationally representative data sets, this study examined health care expenditure disparities between Caucasians and different Asian American subgroups. Multivariate analyses demonstrate that Asian Americans, as a group, have significantly lower total expenditures compared with Caucasians. Results also point to considerable heterogeneities in health care spending within Asian American subgroups. Findings suggest that language assistance programs would be effective in reducing disparities among Caucasians and Asian American subgroups with the exception of Indians and Filipinos, who tend to be more proficient in English. Results also indicate that citizenship and nativity were major factors associated with expenditure disparities. Socioeconomic status, however, could not explain expenditure disparities. Results also show that Asian Americans have lower physician and pharmaceutical costs but not emergency department or hospital expenditures. These findings suggest the need for culturally competent policies specific to Asian American subgroups and the necessity to encourage cost-effective treatments among Asian Americans.

Keywords: Asian Americans; citizenship/nativity; health care expenditures; health disparity; language barrier.

Figure 1

Total and different types of health care expenditures ($) by Asian American subgroups. Note: Data: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and National Health Interview Survey 2002–2008. adults aged between 8 and 64 years. Other expenditures included expenditures on dental care, vision care, and so on. ED = emergency-department visits.