Journal of general internal medicine
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Data about whether Asian Americans are a high-risk or a low-risk group for osteoporosis are limited and inconsistent. Few previous studies have recognized that the heterogeneity of the Asian American population, with respect to both nativity (foreign- vs U.S.-born) and ethnicity, may be related to osteoporosis risk. ⋯ Foreign-born Chinese Americans may be a high-risk group for osteoporosis.
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A significant body of research suggests that religious involvement is related to better mental and physical health. Religion or spirituality was identified as an important health protective factor by women participating in the East Side Village Health Worker Partnership (ESVHWP), a community-based participatory research initiative on Detroit's east side. However, relatively little research to date has examined the mechanisms through which religion may exert a positive effect on health. ⋯ These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that one of the major ways religious involvement benefits health is through expanding an individual's social connections. The implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Encouraging Vietnamese-American women to obtain Pap tests through lay health worker outreach and media education.
Five times more Vietnamese-American women develop cervical cancer than white women. Few studies have examined whether community-based participatory research can effectively address Asian immigrants' health problems. This article reports the preliminary evaluation of 1 such project. ⋯ Media education campaigns can increase Vietnamese women's awareness of the importance of Pap tests, but lay health workers are more effective at encouraging women to actually obtain the tests. Lay health workers are effective because they use their cultural knowledge and social networks to create change. Researchers, community members, and community-based organizations can share expert knowledge and skills, and build one another's capacities.
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Multicenter Study
A community-centered approach to diabetes in East Harlem.
Residents of East Harlem, an impoverished, non-white community in New York city (NYC), have up to 5 times the mortality and complication rates of diabetes compared with NYC residents overall. To determine potentially remediable problems underlying this condition, a community-based collaboration of health providers, community advocates, and researchers, surveyed East Harlem residents with diabetes to assess their knowledge, behaviors, barriers to care, and actions taken in response to barriers. ⋯ A community-based coalition was able to come together, identify areas of concern in diabetes care and assess the needs of adults with diabetes residing and obtaining care in East Harlem. The coalition found that even among those with access to care there remain significant financial barriers to good diabetes care, and a need to address and optimize how individuals with diabetes manage their disease.