Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 10, Issue 5, 2008, Pages 429-436

Arab American immigrants in New York: Health Care and cancer knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (Article)

Shah S.M. , Ayash C. , Pharaon N.A. , Gany F.M.*
  • a Center for Immigrant Health, New York University School of Medicine, 462 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States
  • b NYU Cancer Institute, New York University School of Medicine, 462 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States
  • c TAMKEEN, The Center for Arab American Empowerment, Inc., Brooklyn, NY, United States
  • d Center for Immigrant Health, New York University School of Medicine, 462 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States

Abstract

Arab immigrants living in the United States total between 1.5 million and 3.5 million, and have been growing in number each decade. New York's Arab population, at 405,000, ranks third in the U.S. after California and Michigan. Despite the large numbers, little health research has focused on this population. Data about the cancer incidence, mortality, and screening practices of Arab Americans is overwhelmingly lacking. To better understand the health care and cancer knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of Arab American immigrants, five single-gender focus groups were convened with Arab men and women in New York City. Attention was given to factors that act as barriers to utilization of general health care services, and of cancer prevention, treatment, and support services. The data revealed the importance of providing culturally and linguistically appropriate health interventions in partnership with trusted community leaders, and the need for follow-up research of this understudied immigrant population. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007.

Author Keywords

Arab Health care access cancer immigrants Middle East

Index Keywords

information processing immigrant follow up Neoplasms human middle aged Middle East linguistics health service priority journal Aged cancer prevention Arab social support screening test Cultural Competency Urban Health Services Arabs qualitative research United States Humans male Emigrants and Immigrants female Socioeconomic Factors cultural factor medical information Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Spirituality cancer therapy Article health care utilization intervention study adult mortality health care quality Prejudice health care access normal human Emigration and Immigration Health Services Accessibility Healthcare Disparities attitude to health cancer incidence Focus Groups

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-48449095236&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-007-9106-2&partnerID=40&md5=a70eeba66687ccfd1054ca56d72e3608

DOI: 10.1007/s10903-007-9106-2
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 65
Original Language: English