Cancer Screening Practices Among Chinese and Vietnamese in the Greater Houston Area

National data on Asian Americans indicate that compared to other groups in the US, cancer incidence and prevalence is relatively lower (Miller, Kolonel et al. 1996; American Cancer Society 2006). However, when the data is examined further based on specific Asian subgroups and for specific cancers, Asian Americans bear a disproportionate burden for cancers of infectious origin, such as cervical, liver, and stomach cancer (Chen 2005). Furthermore, Asian Americans are also experiencing increasing rates of cancers associated with “Westernization,” such as breast and prostate cancer (Kolonel, Yoshizawa et al. 1988; Whittemore, Kolonel et al. 1995; Ziegler, Hoover et al. 1996). Early detection and screening are among the frontline strategies in cancer control, yet Asian American and Pacific Islanders have the lowest cancer screening rates of all ethnic groups in the US (American Cancer Society 2006). The Asian American Health Needs Assessment (AsANA) project was designed to collect data on the rapidly growing Asian American community in the Greater Houston area. The AsANA project included a telephone survey to over 800 randomly selected households in the Chinese and Vietnamese communities, two of the largest Asian American subgroups in Texas. Included in the telephone interview were questions regarding cancer screening practices. This article describes the reported screening practices among the surveyed populations and discusses the implications for developing targeted programs that can address cancer screening disparities in this community

Beverly Gor oral history interview and transcript

This recording and transcript form part of a collection of oral history interviews conducted by the Chao Center for Asian Studies at Rice University. This collection includes audio recordings and transcripts of interviews with Asian Americans native to or living in Houston. Interviewers: Maria Maldonado and Asiya Kaz

Collection of Local Asian American Health Data Closes Health Disparity Gaps

Lack of disaggregated health data for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) continues to be a barrier to identifying and addressing health disparities in the AAPI population. Because the AAPI population is relatively small, health surveillance groups frequently overlook or disregard them in their data collection, often citing that AAPIs are “difficult to reach,” or that it is too costly to include them in data sets. This brief addresses these barriers and demonstrates that when there is sufficient support from policymakers, committed academic partnerships, and genuine engagement of the community, scientifically sound health data can be collected in a cost efficient manner. Such data not only identifies health needs, but also may generate significant benefits to communities, health planners and researchers and can lead to funding to address those needs

Is Socioeconomic Advantage Associated With Positive Health Behaviors and Health Outcomes Among Asian Indians?

Objective: The South Asian Health Needs Assessment was conducted to collect health status information on the rapidly growing Asian Indian (AI) community in the Houston area. Many were highly educated and reported high income levels, factors usually associated with better health outcomes. This study examined the relationship between socioeconomic advantage and the health behaviors and health outcomes of AIs. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional survey data from a convenience sample of 1416 AIs. Income was categorized as low, medium, and high. Descriptive statistics were generated by income categories and weighted multinomial regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of income with health behaviors and outcomes, adjusting for age, sex, health insurance, and years in the United States. Results: Income was positively associated with better self-rated health, higher body mass index, moderate physical activity, having shingles vaccine, and cervical cancer screening. Income was inversely associated with perceived stress and heart disease. However, income was not significantly associated with alternative therapies, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, self-reported overweight/obesity, fruit and vegetable consumption, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and screening for breast, prostate, and colon cancer. Conclusions: Socioeconomic advantage was not consistently associated with positive health outcomes or desired health behaviors among AIs. We speculate that other factors, including cultural beliefs and acculturation may also impact health behaviors and health outcomes in this group. Further studies examining the influence of these variables on health behaviors and health outcomes are warranted