South Asian American Health: Perspectives and Recommendations on Sociocultural Influences

Abstract

South Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing minority populations in the United States, and are particularly vulnerable to serious health concerns including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity and hypertriglyceridemia. It is essential that health care providers attend to the unique needs of this rapidly-growing population, and implementation of effective preventative and treatment interventions is crucial for this population. As health care in the United States moves toward cultural competence, it's important that health care providers are trained to work with, and for the needs of, South Asian Americans. This chapter substantiates on the impact of common South Asian American cultural values including religiosity, collectivism, morality, and adherence to traditional gender roles on the health of South Asian Americans. Secondly, experiences that are salient in this population, including acculturation and racial discrimination, will be expanded upon, particularly as they relate to the physical well-being of this unique population. The chapter finally provides the recommendations for culturally sensitive practice as existing research indicates that the specific needs of South Asian Americans are commonly overlooked in the current health care system. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)