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 rapid growth, theories and research surrounding 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 existing and emerging health issues in the South Asian American population; 2) acknowledge ways to better conceptualize health intervention among South Asian Americans; 3) identify diabetes-related disparities and determinants of smoking among communities of South Asian descent in the United States; and 4) understand how the health care system can address the needs of this diverse population.

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