Impact of Culture on Use of Western Health Services by Older South Asian Canadians (Quantitative RESEARCH‪)‬

South Asians are the largest visible minority group in Canada, with 10.7% of the population being 65 and older. (1) However, there is little research examining their health service utilization. Most studies are from the United States or the United Kingdom, and South Asians are grouped with other Asian groups as one 'culturally undifferentiated' group. (2) South Asians have a long history in Canada (3) and they are from different countries, regions, and sects, and have different cultures, health beliefs, values, and norms. In 2006, 57,700 South Asians were reported in Calgary, (4) with 21.8% being 55 and older, while 9.7% were 65 and older. (5)