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

Abstract #113452

John-Vincent D. Banagan, BS, MPH (c)¹, Katherine Brown, BS, MPH (c)¹, Mylene A. Cahambing-(Yukhymuk), RN, BSN, MPH (c)¹, Patricia Erwin, MPH², and Linette Escobar, MA³. (1) Department of Health Education, San Francisco State University, MPH Program, HSS 326, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132 - 4161, (415) 420-9821, jbanagan@sfsu.edu, (2) Newcomers Health Program, San Francisco Department of Public Health, 1490 Mason Street #107, San Francisco, CA 94133, (3) SUNSET Russian Tobacco Education Project, Bay Area Community Resources, Ocean Park Health Center, 1351 24th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122

Physical inactivity is a contributing factor to chronic illness as people get older. According to the Newcomers Health Program 2002 report, the Russian-speaking newcomer population experienced health issues that include chronic health conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Additional mental health related issues include depression and somatization. It is noted that Russian-speaking males and females exhibit hypertension while in their mid-twenties leading to premature deaths while older Russian-speaking newcomers exhibit an average loss of 15 years of life from the U.S. average. In collaboration with the Newcomers Health Program and the Masters in Public Health (MPH) program at San Francisco State University, the MPH student team conducted a community health assessment of Russian-speaking newcomers over the age of 50 years living in San Francisco. The purpose of this assessment was to identify current behavior, knowledge and attitude of this community as it relates to physical activity. The student team conducted twelve key informant interviews with local service providers that assist the Russian-speaking newcomer population. Their insight offers ideas of how to address barriers and limitations, as well as highlight the strengths and resources within this community related to physical activity. We believe the information collected will provide a foundation for future studies for this population- as well as help in the development and deployment of resources within this community.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify current behavior, knowledge, and attitude related to phyiscal activity, gaps in services and barriers to physical activity of Russian-speaking newcomers 50 years and older residing in San Francisco.
• List five recommendations addressing physical activity for the Russian-speaking newcomers 50 years and older residing in San Francisco.

Keywords: Immigrants, Physical Activity

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.

Handout (.ppt format,