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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Ki H. Park, MA, Melvin E. Gonnerman Jr., PhD, and Gene M. Lutz, PhD. Center for Social and Behavioral Research, University of Northern Iowa, 221 Sabin Hall/CSBR, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0402, 319-273-2105, ki.h.park@gmail.com

The elimination of the health disparities among ethnic or racial minority groups in the United States is one of the goals of Healthy People 2010. The present investigation is a secondary analysis of data from two community studies conducted in Waterloo, Iowa by the Center for Social and Behavioral Research in conjunction with the Project EXPORT Center for Excellence in Health Disparity Research at the University of Northern Iowa. Iowa is a rural state with a predominately White population; however, the state is experiencing rapid ethnic diversification in certain geographical areas. Much of the diversification is the result of Hispanic or Latino immigrants from Mexico – many of whom come to work in meatpacking plants. In the present study, the physical and mental health status of adult Hispanic/Latino immigrants will be compared with adult African Americans, who are an established minority group, in Waterloo. The analyses will be based on data from face-to-face structured interviews completed by approximately 115 African Americans and 50 Hispanic/Latino immigrants of which many had been in the United States for less than 5 years. Health status was associated with certain types of health-promoting behaviors (i.e., Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile –II). Moreover, the similarities and differences between the health promoting behaviors of these two minority groups will be discussed. These findings may contribute to the discussion among health care professionals about the importance of taking language and acculturation into consideration when conducting community-level interventions aimed at reducing health disparities among immigrant populations.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Identify six areas of health-promoting behaviors.
• 2.Describe the similarities and differences in health promotion among Hispanic/Latino immigrants and African Americans found in a community sample.
• 3.Discuss issues related to reducing health disparities through improving health promoting behaviors among Hispanic/Latino immigrants.

Keywords: Health Promotion, Minority Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered