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Explanations of immigrant health that ascribe to culture a fundamental causal role neglect the broader structural and contextual factors with which culture intersects. Based on a qualitative study of Indian immigrants’ vulnerability to HIV in Canada, this paper presents a contextualised understanding of these individuals’ understanding of, perceptions about, and responses to the HIV risk in their post-immigration lives. The study reveals that although culture – both traditional values and the norms of the diaspora community – appears to have constrained Indian immigrants’ capacities to respond to the risk, this effect can be properly understood only by situating such constraint in the context of the settlement process that has shaped participants’ living conditions, including their relationship with the diasporic community in Canada. We argue that HIV vulnerability should be conceptualised as a health inequality associated with broader systems of power relations (eg socio-economic marginalisation, gender inequality, discrimination, and racism). This more holistic conceptualisation of the intersection of culture, integration, and HIV vulnerability will facilitate exploration of HIV prevention strategies, through which interconnected inequalities of gender, race, and access to knowledge and resources can be challenged. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study examines the health status and utilization of physicians, hospitals, emergency departments, and traditional medicine among older Asian Indian immigrants ( n = 100). The data for this study derives from the Asian American Elders in New York City (AAENYC) Study, which used a regional probability sampling. Multivariate analyses were guided by the Andersen behavioral model. The number of medical conditions is significant in predicting the likelihood of physician visits while age and having medical insurance predicted the likelihood of hospital stays. Having medical insurance was also a significant predictor for the use of emergency department services while poor English proficiency was associated with the use of traditional medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian Indians (AIs) have considerable within-group diversity in education levels, socioeconomic status, language, and diet based on the region of origin in India. The objective of this study was to determine if dietary intake patterns vary based on region of origin among first generation AI immigrants and if these differences influence body mass index (BMI). AI men and women (n=237), over 40 years, in southern US participated in a telephone survey. Responses to the Block food frequency questionnaire suggest that the diet of the study participants was low in dietary fiber while dietary fat intake was within guidelines. Intake of individual foods varied by region of origin. BMI also varied by region of origin (P<.05), with individuals from the north having a higher BMI (26.3) compared to those from the south and west (24.3). Regression analysis showed BMI to be significantly related to total fat intake, physical activity, and north region. Results suggest that dietary advice and lifestyle recommendations should be individualized. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002; 102:1286-1289. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This research examines the relationship between social integration and health status (i.e., prevalence of chronic health conditions) among older first generation Asian Indian (AI) immigrants in the U.S. Data were collected through a telephone survey from 226 respondents (50 years and over) in the Southeastern U.S. The correlates of health status were determined using a Poisson regression analysis. The prevalence of major chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension in this sample was similar to those found in other studies of AI immigrants. Better health was associated with greater perceived support and having relatives nearby, whereas poorer health was associated with higher body mass index, longer residence in the U.S., being older, and being female. Implications for interventions designed to address the diversity within this immigrant community are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the prevention of type 2 diabetes in migrant Indian populations. Symptoms and complications associated with the disease include a reduced quality of life and blindness. Results of randomized controlled trials are said to have shown that the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes can be lessened via lifestyle interventions. It adds that group-based educational programmes in lifestyle counselling methods of behaviour change have been adopted to strengthen the lifestyle intervention approach.