Filipino Americans in Greater Long Beach: A Community Health Needs Assessment Survey

Over two million Filipino Americans reside in the United States (Census, 2000) making the Filipino Americans the third largest minority group in the nation. The 2000 US Census also reports that four percent of the Filipino American population are residing in Long Beach, California. In order to meet the goal of Healthy People 2010 of ending the burden of disease for all racial and ethnic groups, this study examined the health and health care needs of the Filipino Americans, a subgroup that has been rarely studied even though they represent the third highest Asian subgroup in the United States. Utilizing the survey method, the Long Beach Health Needs Assessment Survey Questionnaire developed by Sinay and Acosta-Deprez (2004) was modified and distributed to a convenience sample of 550 Filipino Americans during the U.S.-Philippines 2006 Expo and the 15th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture . Questions relating to demographics, perspectives on the healthcare system, use of the healthcare system, health associated behaviors, and personal health were included. A total of 189 surveys were returned and analyzed. In depth description of the results will be provided in this presentation including the top ten health problems of Filipinos, their health behaviors, attitudes towards health, and health and health care practices. The research findings would be useful to public health and health care professionals, social service providers as well as advocates and policy developers in the development and implementation of focused, culturally sensitive and culturally relevant programs for the Filipino American population.