Health fair report of Asian Americans in Michigan

Abstract

There is little information about Asian American health in Michigan. This highlights an urgent need to collect their health data to understand and help this fastest growing ethnic group live healthier lives and reduce health disparities. Data for about 300 individuals attending two major health fairs were collected to study older Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants. The analyses show that they have high prevalence rates of hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes, even though their body mass index is relatively low. The report of these analyses is a starting point to understand the study groups. Such data can help health care providers give sound advice to their patients and allow those of us in public health to design proper health programs that may benefit them. But more data is needed to include major Asian ethnic groups and identify common health concerns among all Asian Americans.