Health and health care status of African-born residents of Metropolitan Washington, DC

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.