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Knowledge of Cardiovascular Health Among Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese Immigrants to the US

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Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among Asian Americans, the majority of whom are foreign-born. However, CVD and risk factor data is sparse for specific Asian immigrant populations. To assess knowledge and understanding of CVD and risk factors within Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese immigrant populations, we conducted eight focus groups of 77 participants between 36 and 84 years old. Participants correctly identified signs and symptoms for heart attacks while knowledge about stroke was incomplete. While poor diet, lack of exercise, older age, and high cholesterol were frequently discussed as risk factors, mechanisms perceived as contributing to heart disease were influenced primarily by non-Western paradigms. Non-Western remedies were discussed in detail among Chinese and Vietnamese participants. All participants desired more information, and identified barriers to effective communication with healthcare providers. A deeper understanding of beliefs and barriers faced by Asian immigrants can help guide health promotion efforts.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Prevention Research Centers Program (PRC) Special Interest Project (SIP) 9-05, U48 DP00050. The PRC Cardiovascular Health Intervention Research and Translational Network is supported by CDC’s Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Thanh G. N. Ton

  2. Department of Health Services, Health Promotion Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Lesley Steinman

  3. Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Mei-Po Yip

  4. Northwest/Alaska Center to Reduce Oral Health Disparities, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Kiet A. Ly

  5. College of Nursing, Seattle University, Seattle, WA, USA

    Mo-Kyung Sin

  6. Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Annette L. Fitzpatrick

  7. Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Annette L. Fitzpatrick

  8. Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA

    Shin-Ping Tu

  9. Department of Neurology, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Avenue, Box 359775, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA

    Thanh G. N. Ton

Authors
  1. Thanh G. N. Ton
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  2. Lesley Steinman
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  3. Mei-Po Yip
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  4. Kiet A. Ly
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  5. Mo-Kyung Sin
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  6. Annette L. Fitzpatrick
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  7. Shin-Ping Tu
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Correspondence to Thanh G. N. Ton.

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Ton, T.G.N., Steinman, L., Yip, MP. et al. Knowledge of Cardiovascular Health Among Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese Immigrants to the US. J Immigrant Minority Health 13, 127–139 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-010-9340-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-010-9340-x

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