Translational Behavioral Medicine
Volume 9, Issue 2, 2019, Pages 357-367

Can we address cancer disparities in immigrants by improving cancer literacy through English as a second language instruction? (Article)

Hughes D.L.* , Flight I. , Chapman J. , Wilson C.
  • a Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, School of Medicine, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
  • b Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, School of Medicine, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
  • c Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, School of Medicine, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
  • d Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, School of Medicine, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia, La Trobe University, School of Psychology and Public Health, Plenty Rd & Kingsbury Dr, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia, Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia

Abstract

In many Western countries, immigrants exhibit disparities in cancer incidence and mortality, and variable uptake of cancer prevention services. New immigrants may not be aware of cancer risks pertinent to their new country, or prevention resources. Traditional cancer prevention health messaging may not be accessible for cultural, language, or literacy reasons. New methods are needed. In North America, health message delivery via English classes for immigrants is showing potential as an efficacious and a feasible way to reach immigrants at the same time improving language skills. Interventions published to date are promising but limited in their ability to generalize or be adapted to a variety of populations and settings. This concept paper aims to synthesize previous findings and identify ways to improve and advance the translation potential of this approach. We propose that this could be achieved by (i) using a translation framework to guide intervention planning, development, implementation, and evaluation; (ii) encouraging and evaluating health message spread throughout language learners’ social networks; and (iii) incorporating cultural sensitivity into the curriculum. A pilot project following these recommendations is planned for Australia and will be discussed. These recommendations could serve as a framework to fit the requirements of immigrant language programs in other countries and other health topics. © Society of Behavioral Medicine 2018. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

cancer health disparities Social networks Health literacy RE-AIM Implementation

Index Keywords

curriculum immigrant health promotion Australia neoplasm health disparity Neoplasms human social network cancer risk cancer prevention language ethnology procedures cultural sensitivity North America migrant Humans Emigrants and Immigrants pilot study Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article literacy mortality human experiment Social Networking Culturally Competent Care English as a second language transcultural care health literacy Healthcare Disparities health care disparity attitude to health cancer incidence Pilot Projects

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85062964250&doi=10.1093%2ftbm%2fiby030&partnerID=40&md5=f4cb0800f033db3a56bb900b917ebabb

DOI: 10.1093/tbm/iby030
ISSN: 18696716
Original Language: English