Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
Volume 23, Issue 2, 2012, Pages 615-625

Culturally tailored health camps and cardiovascular risk among south Asian immigrants (Article)

Gany F. , Levy A. , Basu P. , Misra S. , Silberstein J. , Bari S. , Gill P. , Keller N. , Changrani J. , Leng J.C.F.
  • a Center for Immigrant Health and Cancer Disparities, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, United States, Center for Immigrant Health, NYU School of Medicine, United States
  • b NYU Langone Medical Center, United States, Center for Immigrant Health, NYU School of Medicine, United States
  • c Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, United States, Center for Immigrant Health, NYU School of Medicine, United States
  • d New York University, United States, Center for Immigrant Health, NYU School of Medicine, United States
  • e SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, United States, NYU Langone Medical Center, Department of Cardiology, United States
  • f Center for Immigrant Health and Cancer Disparities, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, United States, Center for Immigrant Health, NYU School of Medicine, United States
  • g Center for Immigrant Health and Cancer Disparities, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, United States, Center for Immigrant Health, NYU School of Medicine, United States
  • h Department of Medicine (Cardiology), NYU School of Medicine, United States, Department of Cardiology, Bellevue Hospital Center, United States
  • i NYU School of Medicine, United States
  • j Center for Immigrant Health and Cancer Disparities, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, United States, Center for Immigrant Health, NYU School of Medicine, United States

Abstract

Introduction. South Asians have a high prevalence and early age of onset of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We assess the potential of a culturally responsive intervention, health camps, to identify and inform U.S. South Asian community members at risk for CVD. Methods. We held four culturally and linguistically tailored health camps between October 2009 and November 2010 to educate participants about and screen for CVD risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. Data analysis was conducted in December 2010. Results. Nearly 300 (289) South Asians registered at the health camps: 20% reported a previous diagnosis of diabetes, 34% elevated blood pressure, and 22% hypercholesterolemia. Most (240) participants had their blood glucose measured; 13% had values > 200 mg/dl. Most (265) had their blood pressure measured; 32% had elevated values. Over half (57%) of LDLs were > 100 mg/dl. Discussion. Health camps are a potentially important component in addressing increased CVD risk in this vulnerable population. © Meharry Medical College.

Author Keywords

Health camps South Asians Cardiovascular disease risk immigrants

Index Keywords

methodology Cardiovascular Diseases human middle aged Asia Aged Cultural Competency Risk Reduction Behavior ethnology cultural competence United States Young Adult Humans cardiovascular disease Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female Article adult health education migration risk reduction
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84860444146&doi=10.1353%2fhpu.2012.0070&partnerID=40&md5=24d2e40987d74b417264f8f49e117f13
DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2012.0070
ISSN: 10492089
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English