206692 Acculturation and cardiovascular health promotion for Midwestern Latino immigrants

Monday, November 9, 2009

Marcela Garces, MD, MSPH , National Center for Rural Health Professions, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL
Sergio Cristancho, PhD , National Center for Rural Health Professions and Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, Rockford, IL
Karen E. Peters, DrPH , School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Carlos Aguero, MD , Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Illinois, Rockton, IL
The growing U.S. Latino population is increasingly affected by cardiovascular health disparities. However, limited knowledge about how their behavioral risk factors change as a result of acculturation has hindered the implementation of effective health promotion programs.

We conducted in-depth interviews to a purposeful sample of 13 adult Latino immigrants in northwestern Illinois stratified by gender, length of residence and perception of positive vs. negative health changes as a result of immigration to the U.S. We asked participants to contrast their pre and post migration as well as their acculturation changes on nutritional and physical activity habits related to CVD. Using grounded theory, we identified emerging acculturation themes that seemed to have a significant impact on these areas. With the goal of finding common and stage-specific trends, we also contrasted results of newly arrived (0-2 yrs in the U.S.), settlers (4-6), residents (8-10) and long term residents (>10). Results suggest key acculturation areas that should be taken into account for the design and implementation of culturally competent and acculturation sensitive cardiovascular health promotion programs targeting Latino immigrants

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe rural Latino immigrants perceptions about how various CVD risk factors (nutrition, smoking, stress, physical activity) change as a result of immigration to the U.S. and as a result of the acculturation process 2. Identify relevant acculturation dimensions that may be related to increased CVD risk or to protective behaviors in this group

Keywords: Cardiorespiratory, Latino Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I work as research, outreach and community health specialist at the national center for rural health professions. I have been involved in several research projects related to health disparities among rural hispanics in the midwest.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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