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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Susan Schantz, PhD, Veterinary Biosciences, University of Illinois, 2001 S Lincoln, Urbana, IL 61802, 217 333-6230, schantz@uiuc.edu, Anne Sweeney, PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A & M University Health Science Center, 3000 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 310, Bryan, TX 77802, Vicky Persky, MD, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2121 Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, Jennifer Peck, PhD, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 801 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, and Donna Gasior, MS, Department of Epidemiology, Michigan State University, B601 West Fee Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824.

During the past two decades, immigration to the U.S. has been at an all time high. Many of these new immigrants are from developing countries and are at higher than average risk of exposure to environmental chemicals due to economic, lifestyle and cultural factors. In particular, recent immigrants from Southeast Asia may be at higher risk of exposure to contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and methyl mercury (MeHg) because of their propensity to engage in subsistence fishing. The FRIENDS Children's Environmental Health Center was established to study the health risks from exposure to these fish-borne contaminants in Hmong refugees living in northeastern Wisconsin. A second aim was to develop effective intervention and education strategies that would reduce exposure without compromising cultural beliefs and practices. A community-based participatory research model has been essential to the success of the project. This presentation will provide examples of how the FRIENDS research team has worked hand-in-hand with community members to develop culturally sensitive research methods and materials. Key elements have included a significant investment in outreach activities to develop trust and understanding among community members, and the flexibility to adapt and revise research methods as our knowledge of the community and the culture has expanded. Funded by ES11263 from NIEHS, and R-82939001 from the USEPA.

Learning Objectives:

• Session attendees will learn about the process of conducting community-based participatory research in under-represented minority populations. This particular paper will discuss issues related to conducting health effects and intervention/education research in southeast Asian immigrant populations.

Keywords: Asian Americans, Environmental Exposures

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No