This thesis research uses a community needs assessment as a secondary data source to analyze racial differences in access and utilization of health care services by San Diego County Filipinos and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Access indicators included health insurance coverage, dental insurance coverage, usual source of care and mode of transportation; while utilization indicators included last doctor's visit and medication source. Whereas there were racial differences between Filipinos and NHPI for health insurance coverage, mode of transportation and medication sources, it was found that other demographics were also likely to be associated with differences in distribution for access and utilization. Information gathered from this thesis paper hopes to provide more insight on access and utilization patterns of San Diego Filipinos and NHPI. Increased research for disaggregated Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander subgroups are necessary to better understand this growing minority population in the United States.
