RESUMO
The COVID-19 pandemic and the travel restrictions imposed by many states led people to resort to technology for many of their daily needs which put older adults (aged 65 years and over) at a particular disadvantage as it is known that they are slow to adopt technology on a wide scale. Increasing the adoption and usage of technology for all purposes, especially healthcare appointments, would particularly benefit this population segment. Primary data was collected through online surveys targeted at older adults, aged 65 and over, living in Michigan, through a Qualtrics panel. Results indicate that, since this survey was an online survey, there is a bias in the use of technology as more than half the respondents had used zoom/skype or a similar medium to connect with friends and family during the period of travel restrictions. However, a substantial portion had not used telehealth services. Barriers to using telehealth services and factors that would encourage them to use them more are discussed. The study points to an emerging need for older adults to take advantage of technology more in order to overcome some of the barriers to accessing telehealth for their healthcare needs. Although technology cannot replace having real contact with people and being able to move about in the community, it helps, to a certain degree, to elevate overall wellbeing.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Studies on immigration have shown that cultural changes can positively or negatively affect psychological, behavioral, and physical outcomes when different cultures settle into a new host community or country. The majority of research done in the United States and North America has focused on these changes for larger immigrant and minority groups such as Hispanics/Latinos and Asians. However, in the United States, there is a sub-group of immigrants that is largely understudied, resulting in misunderstood data on mental and physical health: Arab Americans. This study assesses mental health disparities between immigrant and non-immigrant populations, before and after COVID-19 restrictions, in Dearborn, MI, a city that has one of the largest concentrations of Arab immigrants in the nation. DESIGN: Using an online survey instrument, this study assessed mental health disparities before and since COVID-19 restrictions, and stressors induced since the pandemic for immigrants and non-immigrants in Dearborn, MI. RESULTS: Through inferential statistics and logistic regressions, results indicate that immigrants are less likely to have healthcare coverage, have lower annual incomes, lower educational attainment, and experience continuously higher mental health issues before the pandemic than non-immigrants faced during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: This study reinforces that the Arab-American immigrant population is a disadvantaged sub-group and faces considerable stress and mental health concerns as an acculturating population. This stress gets exacerbated when a worldwide event such as the COVID-19 pandemic strikes. Oversight of this population's health issues results in the inability to receive appropriate social services and healthcare that is vital to address this community's concerns.