Abstract
Limited data and research is available on the health issues faced by the South Asian population, especially for those living
in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Online and in-person surveys were administered to a convenience sample (n = 709)
of South Asians living in the metropolitan Washington DC region. The survey gathered information on socio-demographics and
acculturation; health care access and utilization; sources of health information; perceptions of community health; physical
activity and smoking. While over 70 % of participants had a routine physical exam in the last 12 months, foreign born and
less acculturated adults were less likely to have had a routine visit in the last 12 months. Internet (76.9 %) and physicians
(76.1 %) are key sources of health information for South Asians. Only 29 % of South Asians are engaging in the recommended
amount of physical activity per week. The results of this study provide guidance for future work in addressing the health
and well-being of South Asian communities in the United States.
in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Online and in-person surveys were administered to a convenience sample (n = 709)
of South Asians living in the metropolitan Washington DC region. The survey gathered information on socio-demographics and
acculturation; health care access and utilization; sources of health information; perceptions of community health; physical
activity and smoking. While over 70 % of participants had a routine physical exam in the last 12 months, foreign born and
less acculturated adults were less likely to have had a routine visit in the last 12 months. Internet (76.9 %) and physicians
(76.1 %) are key sources of health information for South Asians. Only 29 % of South Asians are engaging in the recommended
amount of physical activity per week. The results of this study provide guidance for future work in addressing the health
and well-being of South Asian communities in the United States.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9655-x
- Authors
- Amita N. Vyas, Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University, 2175 K Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Nitasha Chaudhary, The George Washington University, 2121 K Street, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Kalpana Ramiah, American Institutes for Research, 1000 Thomas Jefferson Street, Georgetown, Washington, DC, USA
- Megan Landry, Department of Prevention and Community Health, The George Washington University, 2175 K Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912