142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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REVISED Health Communication and Media Use Among Asian and Pacific Islanders in Alaska

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Gabriel James Garcia, PhD, MA, MPH , Department of Health Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK
Joy Chavez Mapaye, PhD , Department of Journalism and Communication, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK
Eric John David Jr., PhD , Department of Psychology, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK
NIta Mauigoa , Department of Journalism and Communication, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK
Background/Significance: Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) are the second largest minority group in Alaska, yet little is known about their health, communication and media use behaviors. This study is the first to examine health conditions of APIs in Alaska, along with how they obtain their health information through interpersonal communication and mass communication.

Objective/Purpose: To provide results from a survey and in-depth interviews of APIs from three Alaska communities.

Methods: Two hundred twenty-five adult APIs in Anchorage, Barrow, and Kodiak were surveyed regarding their lifestyle, health behaviors and conditions, psychosocial issues and health communication and media use. Ten participants from the three communities were also selected for face-to-face interviews.

Results: Approximately 59% were overweight/obese and 31% had hypertension.  About 75% reported not engaging in moderate physical activity less than five times per week, 70% reported not eating fruits and vegetables five or more times per day, and 28% reported having high mental distress score. Media and communication results show that with the exception of print newspapers, traditional media use (television, radio, cable, etc.) was high among the group. The general use of the Internet was high, with more than 80% having a high-speed Internet connection at home. However, nearly 80% of those surveyed prefer to obtain health information from health care providers in person. Seventy percent said they get health information and support from family and relatives in person. All those interviewed expressed the need for improved cultural training among health care professionals. Some expressed frustration with perceived misunderstandings from providers.

Discussion/Conclusions: Findings suggest the type of community may influence API health and that unique Alaskan environmental challenges also play a role. Further, while media use among the population remains high, APIs still greatly prefer interpersonal communication with health care providers and fellow API community members for health information.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Describe the health conditions of Asian and Pacific Islanders in Alaska Describe the health communication patterns of Asian and Pacific Islanders in Alaska Describe the media consumption patterns of Asian and Pacific Islanders in Alaska

Keyword(s): Asian and Pacific Islanders, Communication

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal investigator of multiple funded grants focusing on health disparities among Asian and Pacific Islanders and other vulnerable populations.
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.

Back to: 5007.0: Diverse perspectives in Asian and Pacific Islander health