Family health history communication in Chinese American families

Family health history (FHH), representing the genes passed down through generations within a family unit, is a significant risk factor related to developing various diseases. Major national initiatives have been launched to promote FHH discussion among family members and to address the value of FHH. Yet, it is unknown how FHH information has been shared among Chinese Americans—the largest Asian subgroup in the United States. The aim of this community-based research was to examine FHH communication in Chinese American families. We conducted in-depth interviews with forty-nine Chinese Americans in a southeastern metropolitan city. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via thematic analysis with the assistance of QSR NViVo8. Preliminary findings show that only approximately 40% of participants had frequently discussed FHH with their family members. Participants' perceived barriers affecting their FHH discussion were: 1) self-defined “healthy family” with no FHH concerns, 2) physical separation with their family members, 3) Chinese cultural taboo and stigma of sharing FHH information with family members, and 4) lack of FHH collection. This study indicates that less than half of our Chinese American participants had discussed FHH with their family members. Their perceived barriers were related to their unique culture beliefs, inadequate knowledge, and unawareness of FHH importance. Health education efforts addressing Chinese Americans' perceived barriers in FHH discussion are urgently needed in the near future.