Handbook of Asian American Health

Asian Americans encounter a range of health issues often unknown to the American public, policy makers, researchers and even clinicians. National research often combines Asian Americans into a single category, not taking into account the differences and complexity among Asian ethnic subgroups. The definition of Asian American derives from the U.S. Census Bureau’s definition of Asian, which includes peoples from all the vast territories of the Far East, Southeast Asia and the South Asian Subcontinent. While Census classifications determine demographic measurements that affect equal opportunity programs, the broad rubric “Asian-American” can never describe accurately the more than 50 distinct Asian American subgroups, who together comprise multifaceted diversity across cultural ethnicities, socio-economic status, languages, religions and generations. This volume rectifies that situation by exploring the unique needs and health concerns of particular subgroups within the Asian American community. It consolidates a wide range of knowledge on various health issues impacting Asian Americans while also providing a discussion into the cultural, social, and structural forces impacting morbidity, mortality and quality of life. The volume is designed to advance the understanding of Asian American health by explaining key challenges and identifying emerging trends faced in specific ethnic groups and diseases/illnesses, innovative community-based interventions and the future needed areas of research.

Grace J. Yoo MPH, Ph.D is a sociologist and professor of Asian American Studies in the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. Her research interests are understanding social support needs on a wide range of health care issues impacting Asian Americans including cancer control and cancer survivorship, management of chronic illnesses, aging and caregiving and health care access. She has published in a wide range of peer-reviewed journals including AAPI Nexus, Supportive Cancer Care, Cross-Cultural Gerontology and Ethnicity and Health.

Mai-Nhung Le, Dr.P.H., M.P.H. is an associate professor in the Asian American Studies Department at San Francisco State University. She has interests in understanding social, cultural, and health issues impacting Asian Americans and Asians abroad. She has conducted a significant amount of research on the spread of STDs in both Vietnam and the United States. Her work has appeared in peer reviewed journals such as AIDS and Behavior, Journal of Sex Research and Journal of Cancer Education. She is currently editing a Vietnamese American Anthology titled Vietnamese Americans: Experiences and Perspectives. In recent years, she has shifted her area of research to Asian Americans and cancer, particularly on cancer survivorship.

Alan Y. Oda, Ph.D. is a professor of undergraduate psychology at Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California. His research includes parenting and family relations, adolescence, Asian American and other minority American populations, and faith development. Currently, he is investigating the future role of the Asian American church in providing care for the elderly, and is also studying interventions aimed at Latino adolescent females at risk for suicide. He served as the executive director of the Asian American Christian Counseling Service (AACCS) and continues as a member of the agency’s board of directors. Odaparticipates on the Committee of Diversity Issues for the National Collegiate Honors Council. He is also involved with CRASH Japan, an organization providing relief services to victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in the Tohoku area of Japan.