Articles highlight common health access barriers (access
to health care/benefits tied to lack of immigration status, fear of domestic
violence victims and mandated reporting, inability to communicate
effectively because of languages other than English or Spanish, inability to
pay for coverage or apply for coverage, lack of understanding of public
health benefit system or fear of becoming public charge) of particular
concern for immigrant women victims and non victims who are pregnant and are
not accessing prenatal care because of these fears.
Abstract: A survey of students' smoking in China (n=1896), comparing medical students with college students in non-medical majors, was carried out to determine whether a medical education has a preventive effect on smoking uptake. The survey, sampling students from 12 universities in three cities, found no significant differences between medical and non-medical students in smoking prevalence (40.7% versus 45.1% for males, 4.4% versus 6.0% for females), in 'ever smoked' groups, in...
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to determine if an ankle-brachial index (ABI) >or=1.40 is associated with reduced quality of life (QoL). BACKGROUND: Ankle-brachial index values >or=1.40 have been associated with some cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and increased mortality, but the relationship to other disease morbidity such as reduced QoL has not been previously evaluated. METHODS: The PARTNERS (PAD Awareness, Risk and Treatment: New Resources for...
Abstract: This article reports the results of a cross-sectional study that was conducted to describe the sexual behavior and HIV risk reduction behaviors of homosexual and bisexual Asian and Pacific Islander men and to relate immigration status, self-acceptance as a homosexual, and levels of social support to the adoption of safe sexual behaviors in this population. Thirty-one gay and bisexual Asian and Pacific Islander men in San Diego County, California, participated. Generally high levels...
Abstract: We examined the rate of physician-delivered smoking cessation advice in the United States over time for five different racial/ethnic groups. We analyzed three waves (1992-1993, 1995-1996, 1998-1999) of population-based survey data (Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey) to examine the relationship between a smoker's race/ethnicity and past-year receipt of physician-delivered smoking cessation advice. Results of a multivariate logistic regression showed no...
Abstract: PURPOSE: This report summarizes a vaccination coverage survey of 65 immigrant and refugee families in San Diego County. It included gathering information from 19 community and government organizations on the immunization system, and on families' barriers impeding immunization. METHODS: The "rapid appraisal" exploratory method flexibly used several research methods, such as informant interviews and door-to-door surveys, changing methods as new questions were uncovered. The...
Abstract: Background. This study examined the effects of acculturation on health behaviors among Korean-Americans in California compared to Koreans in Seoul. Methods. Telephone interviews were conducted with 2,830 Korean-American adults in California (completion rate exceeding 86%) and 500 Korean adults in Seoul (completion of about 50%). Results. Among Korean-Americans, acculturated women were more likely to smoke and drink while acculturated men were more likely to become obese. All...
Abstract: Although the concept of acculturation originated within anthropology, in recent years it has assumed a prominent role within epidemiology as a risk factor for chronic disease. However, these studies often consider acculturation in structural terms, reflected in differences between groups assumed to lie along the same continuum, all moving in the same direction toward greater acculturation to the values and behaviors of the dominant society. This paper addresses how acculturation...
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The authors examined data for 7,784 Latino, Asian, and non-Latino white Medi-Cal beneficiaries with schizophrenia to determine the relationship between patients' preferred language for mental health services—English, Spanish, or an Asian language—and their adherence to treatment with antipsychotic medications. METHODS: Data reflected 31,560 person-years from 1999 to 2004. Pharmacy records were analyzed to assess medication adherence by use of the medication...
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Prior studies have reported ethnic differences in adiponectin and ghrelin, but few have assessed the role of body size in normoglycemic women. We compared fasting adiponectin and ghrelin concentrations in normoglycemic 40- to 80-year-old Filipino, African-American, and white women. Methods: Participants included women from the Rancho Bernardo Study (n = 143), the University of California-San Diego Filipino Women's Health Study (n = 136), and the Health Assessment...
Abstract: Previous research has examined tobacco marketing receptivity across racial/ethnic groups but none has done so across the various levels of the smoking uptake continuum. Identifying adolescent groups that may be more or less receptive to industry marketing, particularly across the levels of smoking uptake, provides important information that may be useful in focusing efforts to eliminate smoking disparities. METHODS: Data came from 5857 adolescents (66.6% response rate) from the 2002...
Abstract: On October 17, 2003, a conference titled “Aging Among Southeast Asian Americans in California: Assessing Strengths and Challenges, Strategizing for the Future" was staged. The event was organized by the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) and sponsored by The California Endowment (The Endowment). The purposes of the Conference were to: (1) Increase knowledge about aging and assess health access and care for the aging among Southeast Asian Americans in California,...
Abstract: Variants of three genes encoding alcohol-metabolizing enzymes, the aldehyde dehydrogenase gene ALDH2 and the alcohol dehydrogenase genes ADH1B and ADH1C, have been associated with reduced rates of alcohol dependence. The genotype prevalence of these genes varies in general samples of different Asian ethnic groups. The ALDH2*2 allele appears to be most prevalent in Chinese-American, Han Chinese and Taiwanese, Japanese, and Korean samples. Much lower rates have been reported in...
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: A recent report found the heritability estimate for alcohol-induced blackouts was 53%. The present study was designed to determine whether possession of two specific genetic variations, an aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH2*2 allele and an alcohol dehydrogenase ADHIB*2 allele, were associated with lower rates of lifetime blackouts. METHOD: Asian American college students (N=403) of Chinese and Korean descent were genotyped at the ALDH2 and ADHIB loci and assessed for...
Abstract: This study evaluated a synchronous Internet-delivered intervention (chat room) for improving eating habits and body image in college-age women at risk for developing an eating disorder. Sixty at-risk women (mean age _ 18.9, SD _ 2.4; 65.0% Caucasian, 19% Latino/Hispanic, 8% Asian/Pacific Islander, 3% African American, 5% other; mean body mass index _ 25.6, SD _ 5.7) were randomly assigned to intervention (n _ 30) or control (n _ 30) groups. Once a week for 8 weeks, participants used...
Abstract: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are the fastest growing population in California. the AAPI population is remarkably diverse, encompassing nearly 5o disting ethnic groups. Factors such as immigrant status, language proficiency, and socioeconomic status play a major role in determining the health of AAPI populations, influencing health practices, access to healthcare services, and health outcomes. The statistical highlights and trends presented below provide a lens...
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Individuals with alcohol dependence are less likely to possess variant alleles of the alcohol-metabolizing genes, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2*2) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1B*2), than non-alcohol-dependent controls. It is hypothesized that the mechanism through which these alleles protect against alcohol dependence is by causing elevations in acetaldehyde, which in turn cause an increased response to alcohol. Previous research has shown that individuals with...
Abstract: To determine whether infants who died of the sudden infant death syndrome routinely shared their parents' bed more commonly than control infants. Case-control study. Southern California. 200 white, African-American, Latin American, and Asian infants who died and 200 living controls, matched by birth hospital, date of birth, sex, and race. Routine bedding (for example, crib, cradle), day and night time sleeping arrangement (for example, alone or sharing a bed); for cases only,...
Abstract: Although an estimated 10% to 25% of the world's population chews betel quid, this practice is virtually unknown in the United States. Health care professionals coming into contact with immigrants and refugees from India, New Guinea, and Southeast Asia will increasingly notice this habit. Possible hazards associated with the chewing of the various ingredients of the quid include oral cancer and an addictive potential as strong as for cigarettes. We surveyed a group of Cambodian...
Abstract: Binge drinking is an increasingly important topic in alcohol research, but the field lacks empirical cohesion and definitional precision. The present review summarizes findings and viewpoints from the scientific binge-drinking literature. Epidemiological studies quantify the seriousness of alcohol-related problems arising from binge drinking, with a growing incidence reported in college-age men over the last 2 years. Experimental studies have found neurocognitive deficits for...
Abstract: Previous bone mineral density (BMD) studies have suggested Asian women have lower BMD and Hispanic women have similar or higher BMD compared with Caucasian women, partially explained by ethnic differences in body size. This study compared the effect of different variables representing body size on BMD in postmenopausal women aged 50–69 years from three ethnic groups in San Diego County, CA: 354 Caucasians, 285 Filipinas, and 164 Hispanics. In all three groups, BMD was measured...
