In the United States, disparities in risks for chronic disease (e.g., diabetes and cardiovascular disease) exist among racial and ethnic groups. Asian Indians are the fourth largest and a fast growing Asian immigrant groups in the US. Asian Indian immigrants worldwide experience excess mortality from coronary artery disease (CAD). This study reports the health-status indicators, health-risk behaviors, and use of clinical preventive services among immigrant Asian Indians using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Data was collected via questionnaires from 66 respondents in the New Jersey area. The sample was almost evenly distributed by gender, with a mean age of 53.1 years (SD=11.1). Chewing tobacco was the most frequent form of tobacco use among the 15% of respondents who reported "occasional" to "regular" use. 30% of the respondents had diabetes (type 2); 15% were on insulin and 85% took diabetic pills. 10% and 28% of the respondents had CAD and hypertension respectively. 50% respondents were advised by physicians to eat fewer high fat or high cholesterol food, and exercise to lower their risk of developing heart disease. Less than a quarter of the respondents had poor access to health care (i.e., 23% no health-care coverage; and 12% indicated cost as a barrier to obtaining health care). Although 73% of women in the study had a mammogram in the last two years, only 26% indicated ever having a pap smear. Results show that Asian Indians have a higher than national average of disease prevalence.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify health-risk behaviors among Asian Indian immigrants in the US. 2. State the percentage of Asian Indians who use preventive health services. 3. Report the prevalence of chronic diseases in this group.
Keywords: Health Behavior, Chronic Diseases
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