Health of Asian Americans Professional health care in the United States is faced with many challenges when working with people of different cultures. One of the challenges is developing and practicing standards for different minority groups that are culturally sensitive, competent and can adhere to the appropriate nursing care around the globe. The basis of the existence of any state is to maintain the health of everyone. The criteria for human health among minority groups are different, but all share the happiness and joy of life, which is the beginning of health and longevity. The Asian Americans represent one of the minority groups in the United States that has its own cultural, biological, socioeconomic, education and sociopolitical barriers to health. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2013), the population of Asians, including those of more than one race in 2011 was estimated at 18.2 million in the United States population. The three largest Asian groups in the United States in 2011 were Chinese with the estimate of 4 million people, Filipinos - 3.4 million people, and Asian Indians - 3.2 million people (CDC, 2013). The Census Bureau projects that by the year 2050, there will be more than 40.6 million Asians living in the United States, which will represent more than nine percent of the total U.S. population (CDC, 2013). Based on these numbers it is important for health care providers who are facing rapidly growing racially and ethnically diverse nation to be aware of the health status of a specific minority groups and challenges associated with it. The need for culturally competent health care standards has become a necessity for healthcare providers. Asian Americans have a lot of factors that may put their health at risk, such as limiting themselves of medical visits due to the fear of deportation, language and cultural barriers, and not having a health insurance (CDC, 2013). Despite these factors, “it is significant to note that Asian American women have the highest life expectancy (85.8 years) of any other ethnic group in the United States”, where Chinese women lead with 86.1 years (CDC, 2013). Many Asian Americans are at risk for cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes and have a high prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, smoking, tuberculosis, and liver disease (Office of Minority Health (OMH), 2014). The leading causes of death for Asian Americans in 2010 were cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Death rates for these conditions are less than other racial/ethnic populations (OMH, 2014). It is also important to note the socioeconomic status of Asian Americans in comparison with the total U.S. population. “Asian Americans are less likely to live in poverty (12.8%), more likely to be college graduates or hold graduate degrees (50%), and more likely to be employed in management, business, science, and arts occupations (48.5%) compared with the total U.S. population (15.9%, 28.5%, 36.0%, respectively)” (OMH, 2014). So, what influences this specific minority group on their health status? According to the research conducted in Montgomery County, Maryland, where comprehensive health assessment and health needs of thirteen Asian American communities were obtained, many health concerns were identified (Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, 2008). Recognizing the importance of reducing health disparities among all minority groups, two health assessments in 2005 and in 2007 were conducted. Many Asian participants frequently mentioned health concerns about cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks, hypertension, and high cholesterol, and the prevalence of diabetes, and cancer among their population. Most of the participants believe that a combination of lifestyle factors, such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, and high stress put them at increased risk for these common chronic diseases. Some communities acknowledged that their traditional foods and cooking styles are changed in United States and were not conducive to a healthy diet. Ten out of thirteen Asian American communities reported that they were concerned about their weight and that it might become a threat to their health in the future (Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, 2008). Another concern that was acknowledged by the participants is the lack of the information available to them for prevention of chronic illnesses. Based on the traditional Chinese and overall Asian medicine, prevention is the main course of a healthy life style and that it is much easier to stay healthy and not to restore it later (CDC, 2014). Asians believe that to prevent the disease it is necessary to adhere to the rules of nature where everything is based on the role of Yin and Yang – the balance between body, mind and spirit and the five cosmological elements: Earth, Wood, Metal, Fire and Water, which regulate the balance between nature and man; to establish a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet (CDC, 2014). To be healthy is a vital part of daily life in China. Chinese medicine considers the health of the entire person when diagnosing a patient, not only the part that is ailing, and poor health is attributed to emotional as well as physical problems. Treatments include herbs, acupuncture, massage, healthy diet, and forms of exercise that promote spiritual well being (CDC, 2014). In order to improve health status of Asian Americans, traditional beliefs have to be taken in consideration. In an age of scientific and technological revolution, people are well aware that prevention is a powerful tool for maintaining health. But it is not so easy to find the causes underlying the development of the disease, and to identify effective measures by which it would be possible to prevent them. By utilizing their ancient culture and traditions, and putting prevention as a priority for their health, Asian Americans can possibly return to their ultimate state of health.
Another issue that was a concern for Asian Americans in Montgomery County was a lack of the appropriate health resources available to them. Participants stated that physical and communication barriers to health care prevent them from accessing an important screenings to prevent illnesses. They also prefer an Asian health care provider “who can speak their language and is culturally sensitive” (Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, 2008).
It is clear that many Asian Americans have a strong desire to live a healthy a long life. China, for example is a country of ancient culture, where the medicine is part of the tradition of the Chinese people, a part of the centuries-old national heritage, transmitted from generation to generation. The Chinese are always trying to create a balanced environment for the body and soul for many generations. Considering the data, the lifestyle of Asians itself is very healthy. Asians are very positive, they carefully maintain a happy mood, happy to meet new people and socialize without anger and envy. Based on traditional Chinese concepts of health maintenance, it can be said that any action in everyday life (starting with body movement to the thoughts and feelings) requires moderation, and prevention. Given the unique needs of this minority group, the primary health promotion in the form of prevention would be the most effective approach to the improvement of their health status.

References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2013). Asian American Populations. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/populations/REMP/asian.html
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. (2008). Asian American Health Priorities. Retrieved from http://www.aahiinfo.org/english/pdf/needsAssessment/AAHI_01AssessmentReport.pdf
Office of Minority Health (OMH). (2014). Asian Americans. Retrieved from http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=3&lvlid=63