“Current information about the biological and genetic characteristics of [ethnic minorities] does not explain the health disparities experienced by these groups compared with the white, non-Hispanic population in the United States. These disparities are believed to be the result of the complex interaction among genetic variations, environmental factors, and specific health behaviors.”
-Healthy People 2010 (“Asian American Health Research: Baseline Data and Funding” – Chandak Ghosh)
Introduction Question:
Do you know of any health issues or barriers Asian Americans or other ethnic groups might face?
Suggested Reading:
Historical Issues and Barriers of Asian American: Trinh-Shevrin, Chau, Nadia Shilpi Islam, and Mariano Jose Rey. Asian American Communities and Health: Context, Research, Policy, and Action. (Ch. 1 & 4)
Listen to this NPR on the issues Asian Americans face within public health and analyze the graphs below.
Click to enlarge.
Discussion Questions:
- Should research for Asian Americans be disaggregated? What are the pros and cons of doing so?
- Should research for other racial groups be disaggregated as well? Why?
- Do you think disaggregated research will benefit certain subgroups more than others? Why?
