Ethical considerations in Asian and Pacific Island elders

A brief overview of the demographic and psychosocial characteristics and medical problems of African Americans age 65 and older provide the context for a discussion of the mental health issues of older African Americans. With this background, specific concerns regarding diagnostic bias are reviewed. Existing epidemiologic data on the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and disorders are summarized and the specific mental health issues affecting older African Americans are described. Specific research strategies are suggested to address the areas of absent data.