Perceived discrimination and use of health care services in a North Carolina population of Latino immigrants

Relationships were investigated between perceived discrimination at the usual health care source and health care services use among Latinos. Three perceived discrimination variables were explored-based on race/ethnicity, based on insurance status, or based on either. Participants ( N = 281) were Latino immigrants enrolled in a care management program. Perceived discrimination was not associated with having well-visits. However, perceived discrimination based on insurance status and any perceived discrimination were both associated with increased likelihood of going without needed health care (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.4-5.3, p < .05; and OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.4-6.2, p < .05; respectively). Perceived discrimination based on insurance status was also inversely associated with emergency department visits (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.23-0.79, p < .05). Addressing sources of perceived discrimination could improve health care access in this population.