Promoting health: perspectives from ethnic elderly women

The purpose of this study was to investigate health-promoting measures used by ethnic elderly women. Within the context of this goal, two major research questions were asked: (a) What measures were used by the ethnic elderly women to promote their health? (b) What were the facilitators and barriers with respect to health promotion in this sample? A convenient and purposive sample consisted of 30 elderly women from three ethnic backgrounds--African American, Chinese American, and European American--who reside in an urban area of the northeastern part of the United States. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and survey questionnaires. Content and statistical analyses were employed. Participants identified measures, facilitators, and barriers in relation to promoting their health. These findings provide insight for community health nursing practice.