Asians in Health
Jonathan Hansen
12/21/14

In the USA healthcare has become of a major focus. The US Census states that there are various groups considered minorities. (CDC) The census shows that 36.3 percent of the population in the USA belongs to one of the minority groups. (CDC) Having known what it is like to be part of these minority groups, it comes to know surprise that Asian’s appear on this list. The first Asians to immigrate to the USA were the Japanese in 1843. (CDC) Asians are found in every state, and every side of both health outcomes and socioeconomic statuses. (CDC) There are myths surrounding the Asian Americans. Many believe that all Asian Americans are wealthy, well- educated, and live great and glorious lifestyles. (AAHI, 2005) This is far from the case, with this group being one of the fastest growing populations in the US, over one million of them live in poverty. Poverty increases the risk of health problems due to the lack of education (on health promotion), access to care, insurance, and cultural beliefs. (AAHI, 2005) Poverty creates many complications in one’s health and recuperation from illness. Like any other minority group, Asians often won’t seek out healthcare for fear of being deported and not understanding what the health problem is. To this day many Asian Americans do not understand western medicine and prefer traditional remedies and treatments over seeing a doctor or taking a pill. (Louie, K. 2001) Asian’s suffer from various diseases. The two leading causes of death in Asians are cancer and cardiovascular disease. (Asian American Health Initiative) Although death rates of these as compared to other minority groups is less. (CDC) Asian Americans also have the lowest health-screening rate than other minority groups. (Louie, K. 2001) This causes many problems and can impede a diagnosis until it is too late for a cure. Many other disparities of Asians include tobacco use, suicide, hepatitis B, and the access to healthcare. (Louie, K. 2001) Asian Americans are such a broad group. From Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Cambodian, Vietnamese, etc., they each have their own views on health promotion. The biggest belief is that of non-western medicine. Whether it is herbal remedies, acupuncture, or even meditation to help heal in a sense.(AAHI, 2005) A study conducted by the Asian American Health Initiative concludes that in most Asian cultures in the US today believe their way of cooking does not help in their health status. Many of them cook with high amounts of sodium and soy products and these in turn can increase a risk of cardiovascular disease. Many in these studies showed an interest in learning how to keep their traditional meals by using more health methods to cook. (AAHI, 2005) With so many disparities and beliefs in the Asian cultures, they feel that they are not understood by their providers and thus feel they will not receive the care needed. As an initiative to combat these items, President Bill Clinton signed an order to expand the research of Asian Americans and to improve and acknowledge the health beliefs of their communities. (US Department of Health and Human Services) Knowledge of diseases and of different ways to treat this group is essential to assist in diminishing the health disparities and allows for a greater understanding which can in turn decrease the rates of death. Primary prevention would be an excellent way to assist with this group. There are other initiatives out that focus on assisting Asian Americans in achieving proper health. American Asian Health Initiative (AAHI) formed in 2005 is pushing to improve screening and educational resources for those unable to access them. This group provides health fairs, media sources targeted at Asians, and free screenings for those eligible to aid in providing correct information to those that do not understand or that are afraid to seek out western medicine’s help. By holding outreach programs and health fairs for those unable to afford proper doctors visits can increase the knowledge behind diseases and disease prevention. Going to each of the Asian American’s cultural events and having representatives that speak, read, and write the groups language gives them confidence in their healthcare system. In conclusion, the Asian American population just like any other group in the USA would benefit the most from educational resources. These resources will in turn create better eating habits, greater knowledge of the disease processes and how to treat, and also improve their quality of life with low cost or free clinic visits which are offered by various groups that aim for health improvement of Asian Americans. The more resources available the less conflicts there are for these people. By assisting these groups with reach out programs we can address the things that impede their health such as: language barrier, transportation or access to healthcare, cultural attitudes towards western medicine, can all be addressed.

Reference: Center for Disease Control (CDC, July 2). Retrieved December 20, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/populations/REMP/asian.html#Disparities American Asian Health Initiative: Asian American Health Priorities (2008). Retrieved December 18, 2014, from http://www.aahiinfo.org/english/pdf/needsAssessment/AAHI_01AssessmentReport.pdf Kem B. Louie, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN White Paper on the Health Status of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Recommendations for Research. Retrieved December 17, 2014, from http://www.aapcho.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/HealthStatusofAAPIs.pdf US Department of Health and Human Services. The initiative to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health. Washington (DC): US Government Printing Office; 1999.