Changing the landscape of South Asian migrant health research by advancing second-generation immigrant health needs

Author(s):  
Shahmir H Ali ◽  
Ralph J DiClemente ◽  
Niyati Parekh

Abstract South Asian immigrants confront a growing non-communicable disease burden, a significant issue in countries such as the USA. While efforts have slowly begun to address South Asian migrant health, second-generation communities remain underserved and understudied despite facing many of the same non-communicable disease concerns. The aim of this commentary is to highlight unique health disparities contributing to the current South Asian migrant health status and identify pathways for further formative research needed to inform subsequent development, implementation, and evaluation of health interventions targeting this community. Extant peer-reviewed literature addressing second-generation South Asian health issues was used to identify key research pathways needed to address existing gaps. Specifically, we call for (a) enhancing targeted surveillance and recruitment in research and (b) collecting data to help characterize behavioral and cultural patterns that may contribute to disease onset and progression. Expanding research on second-generation South Asian migrant health may help to develop tailored and targeted interventions.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Gordon-Firing Sandberg

AbstractChallenges pertaining to the study of migrant health have been reported in medical and sociological literature. A literature review was thus conducted to gauge what research currently holds about the risk of non-communicable disease within migrant populations globally. The search strategy is outlined; CASP checklists were used to critically appraise articles, and the relevant data was synthesised and analysed. The research identifies several overarching quantitative themes regarding risk patterns. Recommendations are made.


Author(s):  
Elham Ghazanchaei ◽  
Davoud Khorasani-Zavareh ◽  
Javad Aghazadeh-Attari ◽  
Iraj Mohebbi

Abstract Objective: People with NCDs are particularly vulnerable to disasters. This research systematically reviewed reports describing studies on the status of patients with NCDs before, during and after disasters. Method: Relevant articles published from 1997 to 2019 were collected by searching the Scopus, PubMed, and Science Direct databases. We specifically examined reports describing NCDs and including the key words ‘Non-Communicable Disease and Disasters.’ NCDs include cardiovascular, respiratory, diabetes and cancer diseases. Results: The review identified 42 relevant articles. Most of the included studies were found to have described the conditions of patients with NCDs after disasters - 14 (13.3%), during disasters – 11 (26.2%), before disasters – 6 (14.3%), within all stages of disasters: before, during and after – 6 (14.3%), only during and after disasters – 4 (9.5%), and includes before and during disasters – 1 (2.4%). Conclusion: NCDs pose major health issues in disasters. Development of strong counter measures against the interruption of treatment, as well as surveillance systems to ascertain medical needs for NCDs are necessary as preparation for future disasters.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (41) ◽  
pp. 4057-4070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Münzel ◽  
Omar Hahad ◽  
Marin Kuntic ◽  
John F Keaney ◽  
John E Deanfield ◽  
...  

Abstract Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of non-communicable disease globally and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and lung disease. Importantly, recent data by the World Health Organizations (WHO) indicate that in the last two decades global tobacco use has significantly dropped, which was largely driven by decreased numbers of female smokers. Despite such advances, the use of e-cigarettes and waterpipes (shisha, hookah, narghile) is an emerging trend, especially among younger generations. There is growing body of evidence that e-cigarettes are not a harm-free alternative to tobacco cigarettes and there is considerable debate as to whether e-cigarettes are saving smokers or generating new addicts. Here, we provide an updated overview of the impact of tobacco/waterpipe (shisha) smoking and e-cigarette vaping on endothelial function, a biomarker for early, subclinical, atherosclerosis from human and animal studies. Also their emerging adverse effects on the proteome, transcriptome, epigenome, microbiome, and the circadian clock are summarized. We briefly discuss heat-not-burn tobacco products and their cardiovascular health effects. We discuss the impact of the toxic constituents of these products on endothelial function and subsequent CVD and we also provide an update on current recommendations, regulation and advertising with focus on the USA and Europe. As outlined by the WHO, tobacco cigarette, waterpipe, and e-cigarette smoking/vaping may contribute to an increased burden of symptoms due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to severe health consequences.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 390-390
Author(s):  
Shahmir Ali ◽  
Srishti Gupta ◽  
Channan Hanif ◽  
Maham Tariq ◽  
Xilonen Vasquez-Lopez ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives South Asian Americans (SAAs) face a growing non-communicable disease burden, however the behavioral contributors to health disparities experienced by second-generation South Asians remain under-explored. The aim of this study was to identify major drivers of the foods typically eaten by second-generation SAAs. Methods Between October-November 2020, second-generation SAAs aged 18–29 years old were recruited to conduct virtual video-conferencing-based interviews using a novel qualitative methodology which integrated free-listing and ranking, mind-mapping, and discussion-based exercises. Ranked free-lists were quantitatively analyzed to identify salient drivers of eating behaviors, while the USDA socio-ecological model was used to inform a semi-inductive thematic analysis of interview transcripts. A network analysis was conducted by quantifying connections made across participant mind-maps. Results Overall, 32 participants (53% female, 22.4 mean age) were interviewed in the study. Thirty-five distinct eating behavior drivers were identified in the free-listing data; those with the highest saliency scores (unadjusted for ranking) were 1) family, 2) friends, 3) taste, and 4) health; when adjusted for participant rankings, the most impactful drivers were 1) taste, 2) family, 3) health, and 4) friends. In applying the USDA socio-ecological model, individual-level drivers included personal capacity to cook, convenience in accessing certain foods, cost, emotional state, and preferences regarding taste or novelty of non-South Asian foods. Setting-level drivers included specific daily activities (e.g., socializing, working), people (e.g., family, roommates), and places (e.g., workplaces, religious institutions). Notably less sector-level drivers were identified but included interacting with the healthcare sector or social media. Norm-level drivers included South Asian cultural background, religious background, and priorities regarding health and vegetarianism informed by values outside of religion. Conclusions Complex, interconnected, and multi-level drivers were identified motivating second-generation SAAs eating behaviors. Findings highlight the need to distinguish these drivers from first generation SAAs to better design interventions to improve health of second-generation SAAs. Funding Sources N/A.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Suhuyini Salifu ◽  
Khumbulani W. Hlongwana

Abstract Objectives To explore the mechanisms of collaboration between the stakeholders, including National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP) and the Non-Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Program (NCDCP) at the national, regional, and local (health facility) levels of the health care system in Ghana. This is one of the objectives in a study on the “Barriers and Facilitators to the Implementation of the Collaborative Framework for the Care and Control of Tuberculosis and Diabetes in Ghana” Results The data analysis revealed 4 key themes. These were (1) Increased support for communicable diseases (CDs) compared to stagnant support for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), (2) Donor support, (3) Poor collaboration between NTP and NCDCP, and (4) Low Tuberculosis-Diabetes Mellitus (TB-DM) case detection.


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