Tungsung Tseng¹, Ted Chen¹, and Huiyi Lin². (1) Department of Community Health, Tulane University, 1501 Canel Street, New Orlenas, LA 70112, 5045856089, ttseng@tulane.edu, (2) Department of Biostatistics, Tulane University, 1501 Canel Street, New Orlenas, LA 70112

This study is designed to compare the difference of health behavior pattern among Asian American adolescents and other racial groups. Survey data collected from 2001 national school-based YRBSS will be used for analytical purpose. The 2001 YRBSS employed a three stage cluster sample design with nationally representative sample of students in grades 9-12. All together, 13,627 questionnaires were completed in 150 schools. Excluding 26 poor quality questionnaires a total of 13,601 questionnaires were used for final factorial analysis. The result shows that the risk behavior pattern of Asian American adolescents is different from other racial groups include African Americans, Hispanics and White youths. Most significantly are risk behavior of cigarette smoking; early initiation of sexual behavior; alcohol consumption and Marijuana use behaviors. The study results have profound implication to assessment of health needs of Asian American youth and for designing relevant intervention strategies accordingly. Cultural and ethnic differences should be important factors considered in program development.

Learning Objectives:

• To be able to analyze and list major health risk behaviors of Asian American youths.
• To be able to describe magnitude and extent of health risk behavior of Asian American youths.
• To be able to describe cultural factors related to health risk behaviors of Asian American youths.
• To be able to compare the differences in health risk behavior of Asian American youth with other racial groups.
• To be able to suggest health risk reduction strategies for Asian American youths.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Asian Americans

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.