Asian American Social Factors

Improved Essays
Alhan, Taylor, Sierra, Kristina, Maile
10/5/15
Team Assignment #2

Socio-Economic Factors of Asian Americans
Compared to the American population overall, Asian Americans have variable health outcomes. These health outcomes include breast cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, life expectancy, and heart disease. Asian Americans also vary in different socioeconomic status such as unemployment levels, education, language, political affiliation, etc. Our research conducted revolves around the connections between the health outcomes that are potent in the Asian American population and the correlation between those and the socioeconomic status of them. The life expectancy of Asian Americans in the U.S. is 86.67 years (LeDuc). Comparatively, the life expectancy of the United States, as a whole, is 78.86 (LeDuc). Correlating it with specific socioeconomic factors of this population, Asian Americans are less likely to live in poverty (12.8%) and are more likely to be employed in management, business, and science (48.5%) (“Asian Americans”). This is compared to the total U.S. population percentages of 15.9% in management, 28.5% in business, and 36% in science (“Asian Americans”). There is a connection inferred between these two factors of the Asian American population, as a result of less poverty and more high-paying jobs, they, in return, have a high life expectancy compared to the United States as a whole. One of the leading causes of death among the Asian American population is cardiovascular disease.
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However, due to a communication barrier between overall Americans and Asian Americans, they can’t acquire jobs that offer health insurance and they don’t have the resources to afford private health insurance or get Medicaid, in fact, “One in five Asian American between the ages of 18-64 report having no health insurance” (Asian American Health Initiative). The rates of insurance differ in the subgroups of Asian Americans. “Among Asian American, 55% of Korean Americans are most likely to be uninsured. The percentage of other uninsured Asian American groups is 37% of Vietnamese, 18% of Asian Indians, 16% of Chinese, 15% of Filipinos, and 4% of Japanese” (Asian American Health Initiative). Through in-depth research, there are multiple times where credible sources mention that location plays a big role in whether or not you will be diagnosed with breast cancer later in life. It has been proven that Asian American women who were born in the West have a 60% or higher risk than Asian American women born in the East (Migration Patterns). This also corresponds with where your grandparents were born. If it happens to be in the West, then you have 50% higher risk than those women whose grandparents were born in the East (Migration Patterns). Once Asian Americans move to America, they tend …show more content…
Osteoporosis is known as a silent disease because symptoms and pain do not appear until a fracture occurs (Osteoporosis and Asian Americans). Many risk factors for Asian Americans to get Osteoporosis are, being small-boned and thin, cigarette smoking, alcoholism and having a diet low in calcium. As much as 90% of Asian Americans may be lactose intolerant. Calcium is a main ingredient to keep your bones strong, so they do not break as easily. (Osteoporosis in Asian Americans). During our research, we found out that there is no cure for this disease. To prevent Osteoporosis, there are some simple steps; you need lower or stop smoking and limit your alcohol intake, and get a well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D

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