People Really Are Trying To Kill Me And The U.S. National Library of Medicine Backs Me The Fuck Up

Don't believe me? Say I'm just paranoid with a shot of erotomanic-ness (which technically has nothing to do with anything but I just figured maybe it kind of sounded sexy?).

Blurb this doubters:

Asian-Americans are more likely to die in the hospital following a heart attack than whites, new research reveals, although this disparity was reduced over time in hospitals participating in a quality improvement program. In the study, doctors examined certain measures of care -- such as whether a patient was prescribed aspirin or ACE inhibitors (heart drugs) at the time of discharge -- on 107,403 Asian-American and white heart attack patients. The study encompassed five years, from 2003 to 2008. Asian-Americans were less likely to be given aspirin or counseling on how to quit smoking after they left the hospital [...] "Health disparities are a serious public health concern in the United States and we've seen that different racial and ethnic groups often receive unequal treatment for the same diagnosis," Qian said.

Sure. Maybe the article also talks about possible age differences and other random factors (damn them) - but the overall theme here is that if you look like us you won't get good care and if someone isn't giving me good care than I say they're trying to MF kill me.

AAPress, Dr. Hei Kyong Kim, And That's A Lot Of Colors

Reading my local aapress.com I came across this article featuring therapists of Korean descent and while this section did catch my eye:

“I understand what it may be like to be invisible, stereotyped and misunderstood as an Asian woman, mother and professional,” Dr. Kim said. “I strongly believe that clients need the opportunity to share their narrative accounts, towards healing. It is my goal to offer a safe place where clients, from diverse backgrounds are able heal and move toward a more promising future.”

I have to admit that I really just got drawn in by all those colors - which I'm sure means something btw, because from what I understand talking with people I know who are psychologists, blue is never just blue, and a peach on a unicorn is always something more than just a peach on a unicorn.

Hmmm...I'll have to see if Dr. Kim has any openings.

Profile: Chau Trinh-Shevrin + New York University’s Center for the Study of Asian American Health

Because you may want to know:

For years, New York health-care providers treated Asian-Americans afflicted by serious, even life-threatening illnesses with ever-increasing frequency. Many doctors in the nation’s largest city agreed that Asians seemed particularly at risk for specific health problems just like any other racial group, but there was neither research nor statistics supporting physician observations.

Enter New York University’s Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH), which emphasizes community-based participatory research and problem solving. Established in 2003, it is perhaps the only center of its kind at a U.S. academic medical center dedicated solely to evaluating public health issues of this racial group. Among other things, CSAAH:

Develops and conducts research to address and eliminate health disparities.

Builds and improves public and private partnerships to increase outreach and advocacy in response to social and other inequities faced by Asian-Americans.

And if you do.

September 27th & 28th: B Here (Or Actually There)

From the PR:

Up-and-coming Asian American dance, music and comedy stars join forces with Rutgers students for B HERE, a national campaign to raise awareness of hepatitis B. The B HERE campaign features two campus events:

- Multi-media art exhibit showcasing perspectives on chronic hepatitis B, a life-threatening liver disease that disproportionately affects Asian Americans

- Live performances from comedian Paul "PK" Kim of Kollaboration, singer/songwriters Clara C., Joseph Vincent, Jennifer Chung and Paul Dateh, and dance groups Quest Crew and Kaba Modern, who have been featured on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew

Both events are FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – but you must attend the art exhibit to obtain a ticket to the live performances.

Art Exhibit – Monday, September 27

Open from 10 AM – 5 PM
Rutgers Student Center, Multipurpose Room
126 College Avenue (at Morrell Street)
Located on the Rutgers University College Avenue Campus
Street parking is available on College Avenue,
Morrell Street and Senior Street

Live Performances – Tuesday, September 28

Doors open at 6 PM; Performance from 7 – 9 PM
Mason Gross Performing Arts Center,
Nicholas Music Center Concert Hall
85 George Street located on the
Rutgers University Douglass College Campus
Parking is available in Lot 74A on
George Street across from the Center

Health Bulletin: Chinese-American and Korean-American women at highest risk for diabetes in pregnancy

December 11 2009 (Portland, Ore.) – More than 10 percent of women of Chinese and Korean heritage may be at risk for developing diabetes during pregnancy, according to a Kaiser Permanente study of 16,000 women in Hawaii that appears in the December issue of the Ethnicity and Disease journal. The study also found that Korean-American and Chinese-American women's gestational diabetes risk is one-third higher than average—and more than double that of
Caucasian and African-American women.

Funded by the American Diabetes Association, the study found that Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, Puerto Ricans, and Samoans are also at higher-than-average risk—while Caucasian, Native-American, and African-American women have a lower-than-average risk.

Untreated gestational diabetes mellitus can lead to serious pregnancy and birthing complications, including early delivery and C-sections. It can also increase the child's risk of developing obesity later in life.

While previous studies have shown that GDM is more prevalent among Asian women and Pacific Islanders, this is the first study to separate those ethnic groups into sub-categories to find out who is at higher risk. Researchers chose Hawaii for the study because it has one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world.

Researchers divided Asians into five ethnic sub-groups and found some striking differences: Korean and Chinese women have the greatest risk of developing GDM. Filipinos are next, but Japanese and Vietnamese women have the same risk as the rest of the population. Among three groups of Pacific Islanders, Samoans and other Pacific Islanders (including women from Fiji and Tahiti) have a higher-than-average risk, while women classified as Native Hawaiians are at average risk.* Caucasian, Native-American, and African-American women have the lowest risk for developing GDM.

"This study has important implications for diagnosis and treatment of gestational diabetes," said study lead author Kathryn Pedula, MS, a researcher at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research. "All pregnant women and their caregivers need to be educated about gestational diabetes, but it is especially important for women in these ethnic groups at higher risk."

"Many previous studies have lumped all Asians and Pacific Islanders together---we now know that the risk for developing GDM varies greatly depending on your specific ethnic background," said study co-author Teresa Hillier, MD, MS, an endocrinologist and senior investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research. "Future studies should also look at whether women in these higher risk groups also have more complications."

This study involved 16,757 women aged 13-39, who gave birth in the Kaiser Permanente Health Plan in Hawaii between 1995 and 2003. Some women had more than one child during that time, bringing the total number of pregnancies to 22,110. Researchers obtained ethnic classification from the mothers' birth certificates on file with the Hawaii Department of Health.

Read More

Today: 'B HERE' Campaign

Info on the launch of the "B HERE" campaign today, October 5th.

Art Exhibit

Open from 10 AM to 5 PM
Student Center - Pacific Ballroom, UC Irvine
At Pereira Drive (at West Peltason Drive)

Live Performances

6 PM to 9 PM
Barclay Theatre, UC Irvine
At 4242 Campus Drive (between Stanford Ave. and W. Peltason Drive)

Students and public health experts have joined forces with cutting-edge artists for the launch of B HERE (http://www.willyoubhere.com/), a new campaign designed to raise awareness of hepatitis B, a life-threatening liver disease that affects up to 2 million people in the United States - many of whom are Asian American.

The B HERE campaign features two educational and entertaining events:

Multi-media Art Exhibit featuring up-and-coming young artists
highlighting different aspects of hepatitis B

Evening of Live Performances featuring some of the nation's most entertaining young Asian American music, dance and comedy acts, including emcee and YouTube sensation KevJumba, comedienne HappySlip and KABA Modern, an award-winning Hip Hop dance act that originated at UC Irvine and rose to fame on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew.

This One's For The MILF's

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Jen Wang, NPR, And Tell Me More

Got this sent on in that Jen Wang, who did a great post on Asian American women, health, and depression down at Disgrasian was recently out on NPR's Tell Me More. Definitely great to see some Asian American bloggers being called on to talk about Asian American issues. One thing that kind of caught me a little bit by surprise though was that Michel Martin (host) almost sounded a little bit surprised when Aileen Duldulao (guest #2) was making the correlation between the stereotyping of Asian American women and depression - almost like she couldn't see the connection. Maybe I got that wrong though.

Check out the full interview and transcript down at NPR.

Reminder: Healthcare, AAA-Fund, And Blogging For Dollar$

Just a reminder my slanty ones that the AAA-Fund blog contest deadline for entries is coming around soon - and was extended until September 25th - so if you're interested in putting your voice out there about health care - now's the time.

And yes. I'm actually helping out with some of the judging on this one.

So get on to it.

Healthy Works Fair + Film + Action

For those of you who may not have headed out of town for the Labor Day Weekend and were considering just laying around and being a couch potato - you may want to check out the Healthy Works Fair + Film + Action Event happening this Labor Day.

In addition to free health screenings, rooftop DJs, free stuff, games+activities (and air conditioning) you'll also get to hear speakers like: Laphonza Butler, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Dr. Paul Song, Jose Gonzales, Dr. Toni Lews, Jack Dannibale, Assemblymember Mike Eng, Dr. Rishi Manchanda, Councilwoman Jaque Robinson, and Dr. Rishi Manchanda.

And one of the Sicko screenings will be with Chinese subtitles.

Congress heads back to DC on Tuesday to continue engaging in a debate on Healthcare Reform that has been erupting fires among citizens all across the country. We have an opportunity to a) get truly informed and b) get really active in communicating with our leaders before they go, all at this event: Available will be real, hard information on what healthcare reform really means right now. There will be action centers and and phone banks to contact our elected representatives. There will be PSA shoots. After each movie screening, there will be panel discussions with a variety of influential and engaged folks.

When And Where

Sept. 07.09.
10AM - 6PM
Downtown Independent Theater
251 S. Main Street
Los Angeles, California 90012
Map/Directions

Film Screenings at 10AM, 12:30PM, and 3:00PM
Reserve your tickets to the movie now by emailing healthcare@seiu-ultcw.org.

Good Read: Asian American Women And Health

There's a really good post by Jen at Disgrasian on a study recently published talking about Asian American women and the statistics dealing with attempted suicide:

But if you're an Asian-American woman who has struggled with depression her whole life like I have, it's not unclear to you, is it? You don't need this study, published in 2007, to tell you that we own some of the highest rates of depression and suicide because we're pushed to achieve. Or this one, published in 2008, to tell you that Asian-Americans are less likely than any other group to seek treatment for mental health disorders. You know this already. You know it in your bones. Personally, not scientifically.

Definitely great to see someone like Jen come out and write about the normalcy of just talking about it - not giving a fuck - and letting it breath.

Check it out in full here.

Antisocial Ladder: What We Do Is Secret

I read this great post down at the Antisocial Ladder where SK goes into a little bit of the personal to help spread some knowledge and put out some topics that aren't always talked about even though they should:

I told my sister about it and when I asked her if I should let our mom know, she advised me to not say anything until I had to, i.e. when I actually was at a point in my life where I was thinking about having kids. Asian families are a bit notorious for keeping secrets and there will always be topics that are off-limit

[...]

Part of the reason I'm writing about this so frankly is that health, finances, and communication are still problematic in a lot of Asian/American families. I'm not sure how much things have changed since I was a teenager (oh, so long ago), but I wouldn't be surprised if there were a fair amount of young Asian Americans that don't let their parents if something is amiss with their physical or mental health. And if the family doesn't have health coverage, it's probably talked about even less.

Read it out in full at The Antisocial Ladder.

Asian American Communities and Health: Context, Research, Policy and Action

Whether or not it's the first of it's kind I can't really tell you, but I do think it's great that we have more books and studies out there specifically taking a look at health, and the different factors out there pertaining to our community.

"This book is the first of its kind to comprehensively examine the contextual factors that affect the health and well-being of Asian Americans," says Mariano Jose Rey, M.D., the Senior Associate Dean for Community Health Affairs, founding director of the NYU Institute of Community Health and Research and one of the book’s authors. "From now on, public health professionals will have a unique and invaluable resource when addressing the health of Asian American communities."

NYU Langone Medical Center's Institute of Community Health and Researchers Chau Trinh-Shevrin, DRPH, and Nadia Shilpi Islam, PhD are co-authors with Rey.

The book is called "Asian American Communities and Health" and you can learn more about it down at healthnewsdigest.com.

It's Soy Good?

Sorry - I couldn't really help that after I read this article on how soy intake during childhood might help Asian American women reduce the risk of breast cancer - and while they can't say for sure - if they did a study that said eating two buckets of chicken a day could reduce the risk of prostate cancer (and I always want to say prostrate for some reason) - I'd be doubling up on my chicken intake.

Unfortunately that study hasn't come out yet, but if it does - I'll be ready.

Just Another Fact Pointing Out That We're Not The Model Minority

I caught this article down at Crain's New York Business and I think it just goes a long way in stating the fact that Asian Americans who need a helping hand can't be overlooked and marginalized in regard to basic needs services - that just like every other race and ethnicity - we sometimes need help - and that contrary to popular belief - we're still not "there" yet:

Nearly one in five Asian-Americans in New York City live below the poverty level, according to a report released Tuesday by the Asian American Federation. At 18.5%, that proportion dwarfs the 10.8% of the city’s non-Hispanic white population living in poverty.

About 41% of the city’s Asian residents were low-income in 2006, according to the report Working but Poor: Asian American Poverty in New York City, which used per-capita income data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2000 Census and 2006 American Community Survey. The percentage of low-income Asians, defined as those making less than twice the poverty level, topped the rate of low-income non-Hispanic whites (24%) and the overall rate of low-income residents (39%).

“These findings counter the widely held perception of Asian Americans doing well financially,” said AAF executive director Cao O. “Many Asians are vulnerable and unprotected, trapped on the low rungs of the economic ladder.”

I have some more thoughts on this topic - but I'll save them for a later post.

Check out the full article here.

Free South Asian Health Fair In NYC

Caught this down at SajaForum.org about the The 4th Annual South Asian Health Fair. Here's the info from the press release:

Contact: Arshiah Khan, MIC Women's Health Services, Public Health Solutions
Phone: 718-626-6735 X 136 (cell: 347-865-4883)
E-mail: akhan@healthsolutions.org

4th Annual South Asian Health Fair brings needed health services to thousands of community members!

New York, NY: The 4th Annual South Asian Health Fair will be held on Sunday, 12th October 2008, beginning at 11 AM and continuing until 4 PM in the heart of desi Jackson Heights on 74th street between 37th Road and Roosevelt Avenue. The organizers of this largest annual health fair are MIC Women's Health Services a program of Public Health Solutions, South Asian Health Initiative (SAHI) of NYU's Center for Immigrant Health, MetroPlus Health Plan, and the South Asian Outreach Project of Elmhurst Hospital Center.

Tens of thousands of community members are expected to participate in a cornucopia of FREE health services and information about health related issues at this event, provided in several South Asian languages. This year, individuals can take advantage of free tests for adult blood pressure, blood sugar, and asthma. They can get dental hygiene exams and be checked for oral cancer, a disease that affects many in the community that are addicted to paan, gutka, and other smokeless tobacco products. In addition to these screening services, community members can see if they are eligible, and sign up for free & low-cost health plans!

Informational material and referrals will be available for low-cost and free women's health services, HIV/AIDS testing, youth services, and more. Advice on where to go for health services for non-citizens and those who are uninsured will be provided.

This incredible event is made possible by grants from the Susan G. Komen For the Cure, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the New York State Health Foundation, in addition to the sponsorship by MetroPlus Health Plan.

For more information, please call SAHI at 212-263-8246 or email sahi@med.nyu.edu or MIC Women's Health Services at 718-626-6735, ext. 136 or email akhan@healthsolutions.org.

Re: ASU Teams Up With Asian Pacific Community in Action

In a previous post I had talked about how the Center for Health Information & Research at Arizona State University joined a coalition to improve the health of the Asian/Pacific Islander community in Maricopa County AZ, and how the center was awarded a subcontract to work with Asian Pacific Community in Action, which received a four-year, $600,000 grant from the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

I got some more information via a comment from the APCA and wanted to reprint it up (thanks Loyd):

Thank you for the post. I am with APCA and, yes, we are here to help. Here is a link to information on what we are doing with the $600K

http://www.healththroughaction.org/

And please let all your readers know that if they were born in Asia or the Pacific Islands (or their parents were) they need to get tested for hepatitis B virus (B as in blood - which is how it is spread - by blood like HIV) AND that we offer free HBV screening and vaccinations for Arizona APIs.

Go here for a schedule of free screenings - http://www.jaderibbon.net/.

So get on out and get tested.

Because it's free.

ASU Teams Up With Asian Pacific Community in Action

To my Arizona Asian American peeps - you're getting some more help on the medical front:

The Center for Health Information & Research at Arizona State University has joined a coalition to improve the health of the Asian/Pacific Islander community in Maricopa County.

The center was awarded a subcontract to work with the Asian Pacific Community in Action, which received a four-year, $600,000 grant from the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation [...]

Grant funding will be used to develop a data system to track the health status and needs of the Asian/Pacific Islander community and its use of health services. The Asian Pacific Community in Action, or APCA, also will develop and implement a cancer screening and prevention plan, Hirano said. "One of the key components of our initiative is to build a solid understanding of the health behaviors and health care utilization patterns of the local Asian and Pacific Islander residents," he said. "With its massive database, CHIR will be a key source of this information."

Read more here.

Health Care Access

A snippet from an article at Newsweek on a new American Cancer Society study:

In a new study, which will be published in the March issue of the journal Lancet Oncology, researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS)—where Brawley is now chief medical officer—analyzed records of more than 3.7 million cancer patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2004 throughout the country. They found that minority and uninsured cancer patients like the woman at Grady Memorial Hospital have a significantly higher risk than white patients and those with private insurance of having reached an advanced stage of the disease by the time they are diagnosed or seek treatment.

But even when you take insurance into account, race still has an effect," says Elizabeth Ward, one of the study's authors and managing director of surveillance at the ACS. "So we have to look at factors operating at a variety of levels ... whether the facilities that are available are acceptable, whether or not the person can access [specialized] care, whether there have been experiences of discrimination or a feeling that one is not receiving good care at a particular facility, especially if it seems related to race or ethnicity."

Read the full article here.

Journal of the AMA: You aren't white and in the ER? You must be a drug addict so forget about treatment

This is something I've actually ranted about previously for quite some time because of a few experiences I've had in comparison to my white counterparts in ER/Outpatient clinics - and now the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) is backing me up.

According to a recent study of between 150,000 and 375,000 emergency room visits over a 13 year period, they found that white people are more likely to be given pain treating prescription drugs than people of color for the same exact diagnosis, revealing the possible suspicions of doctors who think a person of color is more likely to be lying so they can get free narcotics.

You can read more about the study in the Associated Press and Reuters as well as the abstract down at the JAMA site, but let's just say what the AMA Journal isn't quite saying but eluding too in many ways - doctors are biased and let their own racism affect how they treat patients and I didn't need a medical study to tell me that some doctors still automatically think if you aren't white you're a drug abuser and that in the end, if you're white, you get better care in this society than if you're not.