Building Wealth, Building Health: Asset Holding and Health Care Utilization Among U.S. Immigrants

Immigrants' low socioeconomic status is consistently linked to reduced healthcare utilization. This study extends the Andersen Behavioral Model by incorporating asset ownership as an enabling factor and examining its role across immigrant origin groups. It addresses two questions: (1) What is the relationship between asset ownership and healthcare utilization among immigrants? (2) Are there ethnic differences in this relationship?

Data from 4730 adults in the National Immigrant Survey (NIS) were analyzed. Missing income values were handled using multiple imputations. Healthcare utilization was measured as physician and dentist visits (dichotomous variables). Independent variables included demographic, immigration, health, and asset factors. Logistic regression was used to examine the impact of financial and real assets on healthcare utilization.

Asset ownership significantly enhances healthcare utilization among immigrants. Individuals with financial assets were 124% more likely to visit a physician and 66% more likely to visit a dentist, while real assets increased these probabilities by 35% and 22%, respectively. Sub-ethnic analyses showed that both asset types positively influenced physician visits for Asians and Europeans, but not Africans. For dentist visits, only Europeans showed significant associations with asset ownership, while Middle Easterners and Africans did not.

These findings support the inclusion of asset ownership in the Andersen model, highlighting its relevance for immigrant populations. Asset-building programs could enhance healthcare utilization and improve immigrant health outcomes. Tailored policies are recommended to address the unique needs of diverse ethnic groups.