Oral

South Asian Americans (i.e., individuals with origins from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and other areas of the Diaspora) are the third largest Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) group, totaling about 2 million. The South Asian American population more than doubled between 1990 and 2000, with some subpopulations—Bangladeshis—increasing by 385%(U.S. Census, 2000). In spite of calls for disaggregated data among AAPI populations, there is a lack of data examining social, behavioral, and health determinants among various South Asian American subgroups (e.g. gender, generational status, and region of origin). The increase in the South Asian population in the United States, coupled with the great diversity within the community, poses a challenge for public health professionals. Despite their large growth, research on health issues facing South Asian Americans remains limited.

Session Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant (learner) will be able to: 1) recognize both the existing and emerging health issues in the South Asian American community; 2) articulate the intersection between various cultural factors and implications for public health research and practice; 3) recognize the socio-cultural determinants of health among South Asian subpopulations in the U.S. as highlighted in the presentations; and 4) understand the association between cultural norms, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and health outcomes in the South Asian American community.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing