Cultural factors, such as language, age, gender, and others, can influencethe mental health of Asians, particularly immigrants. Traditional adhering to native values Asians place great value on thefamily as a unit. Each individual has a clearly defined role and position inthe family hierarchy and is expected to function within that role, submittingto the larger needs of the family. Social stigma, shame, and saving face often prevent Asians from seekingbehavioral health care. Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in the United States. They are also one of the most diverse, including at least 43 different ethnicgroups who speak more than languages and dialects box 1.
Fact Sheet: Health Disparities by Race and Ethnicity
Cultural factors influencing the mental health of Asian Americans
When people think of the deadliest diseases in the world, their minds probably jump to the fast-acting, incurable ones that grab headlines from time to time. An estimated Perhaps even more surprising is that several of the deadliest diseases are partially preventable. Non-preventable factors include where a person lives, access to preventive care, and quality of healthcare. These all factor into risk. But there are still steps everyone can take to lower their risk.
Of the These diseases have remained the leading causes of death globally in the last 15 years. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease claimed 3. Diabetes killed 1. Deaths due to dementias more than doubled between and , making it the 5th leading cause of global deaths in compared to 14th in
Asian Americans have historically been upheld as a " model minority ," experiencing few health problems relative to other minority groups. Research within the past 20 years, however, has shown that Asian Americans are at high risk for hepatitis B , liver cancer , tuberculosis , and lung cancer , among other conditions. Census Bureau.