"All I know is that there is a lot of discrimination": Older African immigrants' experiences of discrimination in the United States.

ABSTRACT

Discrimination is implicated in the disproportionate burden of disease and health disparities in racial/ethnic minorities. This qualitative descriptive study explored the experiences of discrimination and its impact on the health of older African immigrants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants. Three main themes and six sub-themes were identified. These included (1) types of discrimination which were (a) accent-based, (b) unfair treatment during routine activities, (c) experience with systems; (2) consequences of discrimination; and (3) surviving and thriving with discrimination (a) "blind eye to it", (b) reacting to it, (c) avoiding it. These themes described common experiences of discrimination, current strategies used to deal with discrimination, and the impact of discrimination on this sample. Health care providers should be aware of discrimination experiences, how to assess for it, and identify when to refer patients to appropriate community resources that include mental health, employment, cultural groups and legal services.