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PubMed2003

Calcium intake of Asian and Caucasian adolescents in Hawaii.

The purpose of this study was to assess calcium intake of Asian and Caucasian adolescents in Hawaii, food and beverage sources of calcium, and key factors influencing calcium intake. Data were gathered in a cross-sectional survey of 51 adolescents and included two 24-hour recalls per person. Mean calcium intakes were below the U.S. Dietary Reference Intake's Adequate Intake level for calcium; still, they were higher than nationally reported calcium intakes of this age group. Although ethnic differences in dietary calcium intake were not seen between the Asian and Caucasian/Other group, the sample size may not be large enough to demonstrate a difference. Asians in Hawaii consumed more calcium than in previous studies. Caucasian/Other group consumed more non-fat milk than the Asian adolescent group. The Caucasian/Other group and the higher socio-economic group consumed more calcium from dietary supplements than Asians and the lower-socioeconomic group. A higher calcium intake was found on the weekday in comparison with the weekend (Sunday), which was largely due to calcium intake from school meals.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cancer incidence and mortality in Asian Indians: a review of literature from the United States, South Asia, and beyond.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for future research and awareness activities in the United States. METHODS: The current literature in the English language on cancer incidence and mortality among Asian Indians was reviewed. RESULTS: Asian Indians comprise 89% of the U.S. South Asian population. There are few studies in the United States or Canada on cancer incidence or mortality. In India, oral and cervical cancers have high incidence and mortality rates, but the rates of cancers common in the West are rising. In Great Britain, cancer rates in the South Asian community are similar to those of their non-Asian counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer incidence and mortality rates in India and Great Britain provide a foundation for scientific inquiry among this population in the United States, but more data is needed to assess the cancer burden and implement cancer prevention activities in this country.

Asian↗
PubMed2004

Exploring access to cancer control services for Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities in Southern California.

During the last 25 years, numerous studies have been conducted to promote breast cancer and cervical cancer screening. Most of these studies focused on individual-level factors predicting screening, but we are unaware of any that directly examined community and ecological influences. The goal of this project, Promoting Access to Health for Pacific Islander and Southeast Asian Women (PATH for Women), was to increase community capacity for breast and cervical cancer screening and follow up in Los Angeles and Orange counties. We focused on Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander women because, although they have the lowest rates for cancer, compared to all other ethnic groups, relatively few programs have specifically targeted Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women to promote and sustain screening practices. The PATH for Women project involved a partnership between 5 community-based organizations and 2 universities, and included 7 Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities: Cambodians, Chamorros, Laotians, Thais, Tongans, Samoans, and Vietnamese. In this paper, we share our experiences in developing a Geographic Information System (GIS)-mapping evaluation component that was used to explore availability and accessibility to culturally responsive breast and cervical cancer screening services for Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander women in all 7 communities. We describe the methods used to develop the maps, and present the preliminary findings that demonstrate significant geographic and language barriers to accessing healthcare providers, services for breast and cervical cancer screening, and follow up, in each of the communities. Finally, we discuss implications for programs designed to promote breast and cervical screening and policy education.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is associated with impaired endothelial function in Asian Indians.

This study was designed to assess the relationship between plasma lipid levels and endothelial function in Asian Indians without cardiovascular risk factors living in the United States. While traditional risk factors do not account for the increased incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Asian Indians, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, elevated lipoprotein (a), and insulin resistance are consistently found in Asian Indians with CHD. Endothelial function was measured in 86 healthy Asian Indians (mean age 33 years) free of cardiac risk factors with LDL levels<160 mg/dL. Subjects were divided into two groups on the basis of HDL levels (low HDL<40 mg/dL and normal HDL-40 mg/dL). Endothelial function during reactive hyperemia was significantly impaired in Asian Indians in the low HDL group. After covariate adjustment, NTG-induced brachial vasodilation was not different between patients in the two HDL groups. These data indicate that low HDL is associated with endothelial dysfunction in this population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Promoting heart health for Southeast Asians: a database for planning interventions.

This paper is a report of baseline data that the authors collected on the prevalence of hypertension in a sample of 397 Southeast Asian immigrants residing in central Ohio and the implications of those data for the design of ethnically approved and scientifically valid interventions. The context for collection of these data over a 9-month period in 1989 is described. Baseline demographic characteristics including distributions by ethnicity, sex, age, and length of stay in the United States, as well as family heart health history, hypertension level, and heart health awareness of these subjects are presented. For example, 85 percent of the immigrants did not know what could be done to prevent heart disease. Implications for the design of ethnically approved and scientifically valid prevention strategies are discussed. Based on these data, the authors realized that multiple health education strategies tailored to what they were learning about Southeast Asians would be needed. Through Southeast Asian leaders, they were led to using wall calendars, with words specific to each Southeast Asian language, that had a monthly heart health slogan as one avenue to reach Southeast Asians. Another strategy was to develop videotapes featuring cultural content but including heart health "commercials." The authors concluded that, although scientific validity of risk reduction interventions are important, customizing these strategies to ethnically specific modes of interaction are equally important.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Fertility, menstrual characteristics, and contraceptive practices among white, black, and Southeast Asian refugee adolescents.

This study compares fertility and menstrual characteristics and contraceptive practices of white, black, and Southeast Asian refugee adolescents participating in the Minneapolis Health Department's Maternal and Infant Care Program between 1980 and 1982. Mean ages were similar among all racial groups; however, half the Hmong adolescents had a live birth as compared to less than 25% of the other racial groups. More than 75% of the Hmong and other Southeast Asian adolescents were married as compared to 11% of the whites and 8% of the blacks. Menarche was significantly later (2 years) for Hmong and other Southeast Asians, and the interval between menarche and first pregnancy was significantly shorter for the Hmong. While more than half of the whites and blacks previously used contraception, 14% of the Hmong and 29% of the other Southeast Asians had used contraception. Oral contraceptives were the most frequently used method for whites, blacks, and Southeast Asians; the Hmong were equally likely to choose oral contraceptives or barrier methods. The Hmong were less likely to choose contraception postpartum than were the other groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Population characteristics and health care needs of Asian Pacific Americans.

Asian Pacific Americans are one of the smallest but fastest growing minority groups in the United States. Between 1970 and 1980, this population increased 142 percent, from 1.5 million to 3.7 million. This dramatic growth is due largely to a change in U.S. immigration policies in the mid-1960s and the continuous influx of refugees from Southeast Asia since 1975. Despite such sharp increase, Asian Pacific Americans remain one of the most poorly understood minorities, and their health care needs have received relatively little attention. Health policy makers, planners, and service providers need to have a better understanding of the population characteristics of Asian Pacific Americans in order to address their needs properly. Asian Pacific Americans are largely recent immigrants and refugees. They are extremely heterogeneous and bipolar in socioeconomic status and health indices. Because of their small numbers until the last two decades, many health workers have had little exposure to this minority, their culture, and health problems. Health workers need to be sensitive to the ethnocultural barriers that confront recent arrivals; be aware of the genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and mental health problems common in this population; and realize that anatomical and physiological differences may require attention in certain surgical procedures and medical management. Neglecting the health care needs of Asian Pacific Americans is not simply a violation of the principle of equality for all, but also an imprudent act that increases the mortalities and morbidities and health care costs of the nation.

Asia, Southeastern↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hypertension and related health issues among Asians and Pacific Islanders in California.

The prevalence of controlled and uncontrolled hypertension in the United States is lower for persons ethnically classified as Asian, particularly Japanese and excepting Filipinos, than for the general population. In this study, measurements of blood pressure were taken of 8,353 adults living in California, including 1,757 Asians and Pacific Islanders, and the subjects were asked six questions concerning high blood pressure. The results show that Asians and Pacific Islanders with hypertension, in comparison with hypertensive persons of other races, were less likely to be aware of their hypertension, to be under treatment with medication, and to be controlling their blood pressure; similarly, they had their blood pressure measured less frequently and visited physicians less often. Compared with the general population, Asians and Pacific Islanders were less knowledgeable about hypertension. In relation to health care, they recorded lower frequencies of hospital stays, days of bed disabilities, and days of not feeling well than persons of other races. Asians and Pacific Islanders' lower treatment rates and knowledge level concerning hypertension may be related to the fact that a high percentage are foreign-born. Consequently, they have been taught less about hypertension, rely more on traditional methods of medicine, and are hampered by the lack of availability of health care providers of their own ethnic background. In addition, Filipinos have experienced high levels of poverty and lack of education. These factors require additional study as part of efforts to help improve health care for these ethnic groups in the United States.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Differences in lipid and lipoprotein levels in white, black and Asian non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetics with hypertension.

We have examined the prevalence of hyperlipidaemia (defined as representing fasting serum cholesterol greater than 7.1 mmol/L; fasting serum triglyceride greater than 2.1 mmol/L) in 188 hypertensive type 2 diabetics of different ethnic groups. The overall prevalence of hyperlipidaemia was 36.0% with hypertriglyceridaemia at 25% being more frequent than hypercholesterolaemia at 19%. Blacks at 20.5% had strikingly less hyperlipidaemia than whites at 43.3% (p less than 0.01) and Asians, at 53.7% (p less than 0.001). This ethnic difference was noted for each variety of hyperlipidaemia, being most marked for hypertriglyceridaemia. Reflecting these data blacks had lower mean triglyceride levels than whites (p less than 0.001) and Asians (p less than 0.01). In addition, blacks had higher HDL-cholesterol than whites (p less than 0.01) and Asians (p less than 0.001) and HDL2-cholesterol was higher in blacks than Asians (p less than 0.001). In summary we have confirmed that in hypertensive type 2 diabetics similar ethnic differences of lipid and lipoprotein levels exist as that in non-diabetics. In light of the common occurrence of hyperlipidaemia in the white and Asian hypertensive type 2 diabetic, it may be appropriate to screen for this abnormality. However, in black hypertensive type 2 diabetic subjects this would be less rewarding.

Asia↗
PubMed1995

Origin of the polymorphism of the involucrin gene in Asians.

The involucrin gene, encoding a protein of the terminally differentiated keratinocyte, is polymorphic in the human. There is polymorphism of marker nucleotides a two positions in the coding region, and there are over eight polymorphic forms based on the number and kind of 10-codon tandem repeats in that part of the coding region most recently added in the human lineage. The involucrin alleles of Caucasians and Africans differ in both nucleotides and repeat patterns. We show that the involucrin alleles of East Asians (Chinese and Japanese) can be divided into two populations according to whether they possess the two marker nucleotides typical of Africans or Caucasians. The Asian population bearing Caucasian-type marker nucleotides has repeat patterns similar to those of Caucasians, whereas Asians bearing African-type marker nucleotides have repeat patterns that resemble those of Africans more than those of Caucasians. The existence of two populations of East Asian involucrin alleles gives support for the existence of a Eurasian stem lineage from which Caucasians and a part of the Asian population originated.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

Ethnic differences in nifedipine kinetics: comparisons between Nigerians, Caucasians and South Asians.

Nifedipine was administered to 12 healthy Nigerian volunteers as a single oral dose of 20 mg capsule under fasting conditions. The pharmacokinetic results were compared with published data using the same protocol and analytical method for 27 Caucasians and 30 South Asians. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of nifedipine in Nigerians (808 +/- 250 ng ml-1 h) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that in Caucasians (323 +/- 116 ng ml-1 h) and the difference remained significant (P < 0.001) when corrected for body weight. The elimination half-life was also significantly higher (P < 0.01) in Nigerians (5.03 +/- 1.96 h) than in Caucasians (2.78 +/- 1.11 h). No significant differences were observed between Nigerians and South Asians in either AUC or half-life of nifedipine. The AUC of the nitropyridine metabolite was higher (P < 0.01) in Nigerians (220 +/- 51 ng ml-1 h) compared with that in Caucasians (154 +/- 56 ng ml-1 h) but the difference was not maintained when corrected for body weight. The AUC corrected for body weight and the elimination half-life of the metabolite were significantly higher in South Asians compared with those of Nigerians and Caucasians. The pharmacokinetics of oral nifedipine in Nigerians were similar to those in South Asians and therefore may also arise from a lower systemic clearance compared with Caucasians as has been reported previously for South Asians.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Differences between Asian-American and white American dentists in attitudes toward treatment of HIV-positive patients.

In a survey of Asian (n = 115) versus white (Caucasian) (n = 920) dentists practicing in two boroughs of New York City, Asian dentists expressed significantly more negative attitudes toward and more unwillingness to treat HIV-positive patients than did white dentists. Despite this consistent pattern across most survey items, the two groups were more similar regarding perceptions of professional obligation and their colleague's willingness to treat those with HIV. In an examination of the influence of acculturation processes on these attitudes, a comparison of attitude differences among the subgroup of Asian dentists receiving their dental education in the United States versus abroad showed some differences, with Asian dentists educated outside the United States expressing somewhat more negative attitudes. As Asian Americans become increasingly represented among practicing dentists in the United States, their relative unwillingness to treat HIV-positive patients may have an impact on access to oral health care among HIV-positive persons living in the United States.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

mtDNA polymorphism in East Asian Populations, with special reference to the peopling of Japan.

Nucleotide sequences of the major noncoding (D-loop) region of human mtDNA from five East Asian populations including mainland Japanese, Ainu, Ryukyuans, Koreans, and Chinese were analyzed. On the basis of a comparison of 482-bp sequences in 293 East Asians, 207 different sequence types were observed. Of these, 189 were unique to their respective populations, whereas 18 were shared between two or three populations. Among the shared types, eight were found in common between the mainland Japanese and Koreans, which is the largest number in the comparison. The intergenic COII/tRNA(Lys) 9-bp deletion was observed in every East Asian population with varying frequencies. The D-loop sequence variation suggests that the deletion event occurred only once in the ancestry of East Asians. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that East Asian lineages were classified into at least 18 monophyletic clusters, though lineages from the five populations were completely intermingled in the phylogenetic tree. However, we assigned 14 of the 18 clusters for their specificity on the basis of the population from which the maximum number of individuals in each cluster was derived. Of note is the finding that 50% of the mainland Japanese had continental specificity in which Chinese or Koreans were dominant, while < 20% of either Ryukyuans or Ainu possessed continental specificity. Phylogenetic analysis of the entire human population revealed the closest genetic affinity between the mainland Japanese and Koreans. Thus, the results of this study are compatible with the hybridization model on the origin of modern Japanese. It is suggested that approximately 65% of the gene pool in mainland Japanese was derived from the continental gene flow after the Yayoi Age.

Asian People↗
PubMed1997

Suicide in San Francisco, CA: a comparison of Caucasian and Asian groups, 1987-1994.

Completed suicides in the city of San Francisco, California, were examined across all ages in the racial groups of Caucasians (n = 798) and Asians (n = 124) from 1987 to 1994. A comparison of Caucasians and Asians showed that there were differences between them in their rates across all age groups. The major findings are: (1) Caucasians predominantly used gunshot to complete suicide whereas Asians predominantly used hanging to complete suicide, (2) Asian women over the age of 85 have the highest rates across both groups and genders, (3) Asians, as compared to Caucasians, used fewer drugs and alcohol at time of death. Theoretical connections between differences in suicide and definition of the self, as influenced by culture, are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Psychopathology among Asian Americans: a model minority?

The prevalence of psychopathology among Asian Americans has been a source of debate. Some investigators believe that the prevalence rate is quite low, whereas others argue that it is fairly high. A review of the literature suggests that at this time, it is not possible to determine the specific rates of psychopathology. However, evidence does suggest that their rates of mental disorders are not extraordinarily low. Thus, public portrayals of Asian Americans as a well-adjusted group do not reflect reality. Attempts to determine the exact prevalence rates have been hindered by characteristics of the Asian American population, particularly its relatively small size, heterogeneity, and rapid changes in demographics. It is suggested that aggregate research, in which different Asian American groups are combined, is important for policy considerations, broad cultural comparisons, and establishing baseline information. To advance scientific contributions and understanding, studies that examine the correlates and course of disorders within specific Asian American groups are necessary as well.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Severity of disturbance among Asian American outpatients.

Although Asian Americans are low utilizers of mental health services, they may suffer from a greater degree of disturbance by the time they are accepted for services. In this study, thousands of Asian and White clients who utilized a large mental health system over a 5-year period were compared on three measures of severity of disturbance: severity of diagnosis, ratings of functioning, and presence of psychotic features. Results for all three indicators supported the hypothesis that Asian Americans show greater disturbance than do Whites. The findings provide convincing evidence of greater disturbance among Asian American clients. It is suggested that for cultural reasons, only the most severely disturbed Asian clients use mental health services.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Rate of decline in renal function in Indo-Asians and Whites with diabetic nephropathy.

The incidence of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) is higher in the Indo-Asian ethnic group as compared to the White. To investigate whether this might be associated with faster rates of progression to ESRF in Indo-Asian diabetic patients, we studied a total of 39 Type 2 diabetic patients, using the Department of Nephrology database showing serial serum creatinine measurements from the time of first referral to the clinic until they reached a level of >500 micromol l(-1) or ESRF requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), either dialysis or renal transplantation. They were grouped into Indo-Asian (n = 24) and White (n = 15). The rate of progression of those who developed ESRF, calculated as the slope of log serum creatinine against time, was not significantly different between the Indo-Asian and White patients, p = 0.73. We conclude that the higher incidence of ESRF in the Indo-Asian Type 2 diabetic patient with nephropathy is therefore not due to a faster rate of deterioration in renal function.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Eating disorders in British Asians.

OBJECTIVE: There has been a clinical impression that British Asians present with eating disorders less commonly than expected. The study examines the numbers and characteristics of Asians presenting to the Leicestershire Eating Disorders Service with a catchment area which includes a substantial proportion of people with a background in the Indian subcontinent. METHOD: Case note review and comparison of rates of presentation of people with and without such a background. RESULTS: Twenty-one eating-disordered Asians were seen in 10 years. Their clinical characteristics resembled the rest of the referrals. However, the rate of presentation of people from the Asian population was about one fourth of that of the white population. DISCUSSION: Asian women with eating disorders were referred less often. This might be because of a lower prevalence in this population. However, it seems likely there are variable and sometimes high threshold filters to secondary care for such women.

Adolescent↗