Abstract
Despite the persistent belief that Asians are the “model minority” there is accumulating evidence of health concerns within
Asian subgroups. In this study, we implemented a cross-sectional participatory community health assessment in an urban city
in Massachusetts, to understand differences and similarities in demographics, health and healthcare access in Chinese and
Vietnamese adults. We gathered qualitative data from community stakeholders to inform the development of a community health
assessment tool. The tool elicited information on healthcare access, health status, behavioral health and chronic disease
history and treatment. Healthcare access issues and poor health status, particularly among Chinese participants and mental
health symptomotology in both groups were areas of concern. These findings revealed important health concerns in two Asian
ethnic groups. Studies are needed to better understand these concerns and inform programs and policies to improve health outcomes
in these Asian ethnic groups.
Asian subgroups. In this study, we implemented a cross-sectional participatory community health assessment in an urban city
in Massachusetts, to understand differences and similarities in demographics, health and healthcare access in Chinese and
Vietnamese adults. We gathered qualitative data from community stakeholders to inform the development of a community health
assessment tool. The tool elicited information on healthcare access, health status, behavioral health and chronic disease
history and treatment. Healthcare access issues and poor health status, particularly among Chinese participants and mental
health symptomotology in both groups were areas of concern. These findings revealed important health concerns in two Asian
ethnic groups. Studies are needed to better understand these concerns and inform programs and policies to improve health outcomes
in these Asian ethnic groups.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-011-9517-y
- Authors
- Shalini Ahuja Tendulkar, Institute for Community Health/Cambridge Health Alliance, 163 Gore Street, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA
- Renée Cammarata Hamilton, Department of Community Affairs, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Chieh Chu, Institute for Community Health/Cambridge Health Alliance, 163 Gore Street, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA
- Lisa Arsenault, Institute for Community Health/Cambridge Health Alliance, 163 Gore Street, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA
- Kevin Duffy, Healthy Malden, Inc., Malden, MA, USA
- Van Huynh, Malden High School, Malden, MA, USA
- Mei Hung, Chinese Culture Connection, Malden, MA, USA
- Eric Lee, Boston Education Resources, Boston, MA, USA
- Shwuling Jane, Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice, Boston, MA, USA
- Elisa Friedman, Institute for Community Health/Cambridge Health Alliance, 163 Gore Street, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912