The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57019

Grace J. Yoo, MPH, PhD, Asian American Studies, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, Regina Lagman, BS, BA, Asian American Studies Department, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco, CA 94132, 415-338-3891, regman@sfsu.edu, and Lisa Sun-Hee Park, PhD, Ethnic Studies/Urban Studies and Planning Dept, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093.

For many groups in the United States, the media is perceived as credible and is heavily relied upon for health information (Brodie et al 1999). For immigrants the ethnic media is an important institution in immigrant communities because it caters to immigrants as cultural brokers for their communities by translating mainstream knowledge and practices (Martin 1980; Miller 1987; Riggins 1992; Vargas 1995). The ethnic media can play a valuable role in disseminating health information to immigrant communities. This exploratory study sought to answer several questions, including the following:1) Do disparities and differences exist in the ethnic media coverage of health, health care, and health policy?, 2) How much coverage is devoted to health care, compared with other beats such as crime, education, and immigration?, 3) To what extent is the ethnic media providing education and information on health care issues and concerns? A content analysis of major ethnic newspapers in three regions of California was compiled. The investigators examined coverage in years 1996 and 2000 for the following newspaper and newsmagazines: Chinese Times (San Francisco); Filipinas Magazine (San Francisco); Korea Times (San Diego); La Prensa (San Diego); and Vida en el Valle (Fresno). The purpose of this analysis was to examine the coverage of immigrant health with respect to two elements: volume and themes. The findings of this study can inform health educators, health policy makers and others on how to better disseminate health information to immigrants.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the sigificant role that ethnic media plays in immigrant communities
• Evaluate the current health coverage in ethnic media
• Identify ways that health educators and health policy makers can better disseminate information to ethnic media.

Keywords: Immigrants, Media

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.