Abstract
An understanding of health beliefs is key to creating culturally appropriate health services for Hispanic populations in the
US. In this study we explore age-based variations in causal beliefs for heart disease and diabetes among Mexican origin adults
in Houston, TX. This cross-sectional study included 497 adults of Mexican origin. Participants were asked to indicate the
importance of biomedically defined and folk illness-related risk factors as causes for heart disease and diabetes. Biomedical
risk factors were ranked highest as causes of diabetes and heart disease among all participants. Folk illness-related factors
were ranked below biomedical factors as causes of heart disease among all age groups. Susto was ranked above the median as
a risk factor for diabetes among older participants. Age-related differences in causal beliefs may have implications for designing
culturally appropriate health services, such as tailored diabetes interventions for older Mexican origin adults.
US. In this study we explore age-based variations in causal beliefs for heart disease and diabetes among Mexican origin adults
in Houston, TX. This cross-sectional study included 497 adults of Mexican origin. Participants were asked to indicate the
importance of biomedically defined and folk illness-related risk factors as causes for heart disease and diabetes. Biomedical
risk factors were ranked highest as causes of diabetes and heart disease among all participants. Folk illness-related factors
were ranked below biomedical factors as causes of heart disease among all age groups. Susto was ranked above the median as
a risk factor for diabetes among older participants. Age-related differences in causal beliefs may have implications for designing
culturally appropriate health services, such as tailored diabetes interventions for older Mexican origin adults.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-011-9522-1
- Authors
- Aunchalee E. L. Palmquist, National Institutes of Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, Social and Behavioral Research Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Anna V. Wilkinson, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Austin Regional Campus, Austin, TX, USA
- Juan-Miguel Sandoval, National Institutes of Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, Social and Behavioral Research Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Laura M. Koehly, National Institutes of Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, Social and Behavioral Research Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912