Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108611

Preethi Ann Varghese, MBBS, MPH, Department of Public Health, Southern Connecticut State University, P. O. Box 200779, New Haven, CT 06520-0779, 203-789-1586, preethiav@mindspring.com

Cardiovascular diseases have been a leading cause of death for both men and women for more than a century, taking more people's lives than the next seven causes of death combined. Women and minority groups face a disproportionate risk for cardiovascular diseases. South Asian Indians, in particular, face one of the highest risks of all ethnic groups studied. This problem is compounded by a lack of data about the knowledge and awareness of South Asian Indian-American women about their risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive survey to assess the knowledge of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among South Asian Indian-American women. Data was collected using questionnaires distributed to women at a religious organization in Connecticut. The questionnaires gathered data about women's general knowledge about cardiovascular diseases and associated risk factors, and their knowledge about risk factors specifically associated with South Asian Indians. The results of this survey can be used to develop and tailor linguistically and culturally appropriate health education programs to this rapidly growing segment of the American population.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

(
• Recognize culturally specific risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in South Asian Indian-American women; (
• Identify gaps in knowledge about cardiovascular diseases in local populations of South Asian Indian women; (
• Develop linguistically and culturally appropriate health education programs for South Asian Indian populations in the United States.

Keywords: Heart Disease, Asian and Pacific Islander Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.