The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68521

Molly Loomis, MPH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 3918 W St., NW, Apt. 1, Washington, DC 20007, 202-210-2213, loomis@email.unc.edu, Eugenia Eng, DrPH, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Rosenau Hall - Campus Box 7400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400, and Merry-K. Moos, RN, FNP, MPH, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB # 7570, 213 MacNider Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.

The population of Asian Americans living in North Carolina has more than doubled over the past decade. Unfortunately, this rise in the Asian American population has not prompted a parallel increase in the amount of knowledge and information regarding their health care practices or needs. Nor have we seen a significant increase in the amount or availability of education, prevention or health care programs specific to this group. Several recent studies have taken a more in-depth look at how to effectively meet the health care needs of Asian Americans. Initial findings support the hypothesis that Asian women have unique health care needs, and that their health may be significantly improved through culturally appropriate health care programs. Geographically, however, most studies have focused on Asian Americans living in large cities in the north, west, and southwest. Very little information is available on the health status of Asian women in the southeast, leaving a critical gap in the literature. This paper describes the results of a health needs assessment of Chinese and Asian Indian immigrant women in North Carolina’s Triangle area. The assessment explores the health care practices and needs of women in these two communities, and identifies the most appropriate and effective ways of meeting those needs. Findings will serve as a base of knowledge for health care providers in North Carolina and other rural communities, both of what types of information and services these two groups of Asian American women need, and of how they want those services delivered.

Learning Objectives:

• After attending this session, the participant will be able to list three barriers to accessing health care faced by immigrant Asian Indian and Chinese women in North Carolina.
• After attending this session, participants will be able to identify at least one method for improving immigrant Indian and Chinese Women's health care experience.
• After attending this session, participants will be able to recognize at least three ways service providers can work with Asian American communities to provide linguistically appropriate health care services.

Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander Women, Underserved Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.