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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Noilyn Abesamis, MPH¹, Rhodora Ursua, MPH¹, Kara Cadag, MPH², Kevin Nadal, MA, PhDc³, Nicholas P. Gavin, BA¹, Lily Ann Divino, LMSW, MPH⁴, Mykie Pidor, BA¹, Pascale Montadert, PhDc¹, Chau Trinh-Shevrin, DrPH¹, and Mariano Rey, MD⁵. (1) NYU Center for Study of Asian American Health, 550 First Avenue, MSB-153, New York, NY 10016, 212-263-3070, noilyn.abesamis@med.nyu.edu, (2) NYC Asthma Partnership, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2 Lafayette Street, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10007, (3) Department of Counseling & Clinical Psychology, Teacher's College, 525 W. 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, (4) Mount Sinai Hospital, Adolescent Health Center, 312 East 94th Street, New York, NY 312 East 94t, (5) Dean's Office, NYU School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, SLH, New York, NY 10016

Problem: With a population of over 2.4 million, Filipinos are the second largest Asian subgroup in the U.S. Little research has been conducted with Filipino Americans in the New York City (NYC) area, which has experienced a steady increase in the past decade. The dearth of established networks and resources that traditional settlement locations (e.g., California) have to support Filipino immigrants significantly impacts the health of Filipinos in this region. Methods: A NYC-based academic institution conducted the Filipino Community Health Needs Assessment (FCHNA) in 2004. The FCHNA goals were to examine: 1) health needs of this community, 2) available resources and assets; and 3) best approaches to implement health interventions. A variety of research methodologies were utilized including: key informant interviews (n=5); self-administered surveys (n=135); focus groups with cross-sections of the community (n = 52); and a literature review of more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles published from 1977 - 2004 in the PubMed/Medline database. Results: Findings indicate that CVD-related diseases and cancer are the top two health concerns faced by participants. Major challenges for this community include immigration stress and relocation, loss of (social) status, cultural alienation, and loss of self-esteem due to discrimination. Numerous barriers to accessing care, including financial barriers, were reported. Conclusion: Findings from the FCHNA indicated the need for a community coalition to address health in this emerging community. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the use of these findings to implement a community based participatory research project on CVD.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Understand the demographic makeup, community formation, and key health challenges facing Filipino Americans in the NYC Metropolitan area.
• 2. Discuss the challenges and successes of implementing a community-based needs assessment in immigrant communities.
• 3. Discuss ways to utilize needs assessment findings for the implementation of a community based participatory research project.

Keywords: Community Health Assessment, Community Capacity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered