Healthy Asian Americans Newsletter

No. 10 (June 2001)

Editor’s Note: This is the 10th issue of the Healthy Asian Americans Newsletter from the “Healthy Asian Americans Project” (HAAP), a report on project progress and plans for the period from October 2000 to June 2001. The HAAP devotes its effort to research and promotion of Asian Americans’ health.

1. Michigan Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program: Progress

* Thanks to various county offices of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program, the HAAP has successfully recruited 192 BCCCP clients from 7 different Asian sub-populations (Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Hmong, Korean and Vietnamese) residing in six Michigan Counties.

* For this fiscal year (2001), we have had recruited 45 eligible women in Wayne County, 63 in Oakland County, 74 in Washtenaw County, and 10 in other counties.

* Among the 192 BCCCP recruits, about 86% (175 clients) have had their screenings or scheduled their appointments.

* In order to reach the objective of the HAAP’s BCCCP promotion in year 2, the HAAP sponsored / co-sponsored 3 promotional events in different Asian American communities in the past 3 months. Health care workers provided free screenings, such as Blood Pressure, Bone Density, Blood Glucose and Eye/Vision. Free health presentations on different health care topics were also introduced.

 
 ** On April 28th, HAAP sponsored the Hmong Health Fair in Detroit. The event received support from local Hmong community and medical students of Wayne State University. 2 eligible women were recruited into BCCCP.
 ** On May 5th, HAAP staff traveled to Detroit Metro Airport and met with staff of LSG Sky Chefs. Breast self-exam models were available for Vietnamese American workers and all other interested in learning about breast cancer. MI BCCCP was introduced. Women were encouraged to spread the words to their family members and friends. 
 ** Supported by the Coalition of Chinese American Organizations, including the Associations of Chinese Americans (ACA), Chinese Association of Greater Detroit (CAGD), Chinese American Restaurant Council of Michigan, Michigan Chinese Women Association, Pacific Rim Senior Center, Inc., the HAAP sponsored a successful Asian Americans Health Day at Lawrence Technological University on May 19th. Close to 200 people participated in this event and 36 eligible women were recruited into the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program. 

3. Coming events from July to September 2001

The following activities have been planned from July to September 2001:

* With the help of Tzu-chi Charity Foundation Lansing Liaison Office and Michigan State University Department of Residence Life, the HAAP will sponsor a Health Promotion Day at Spartan Village Community Center, East Lansing on July 22.

* HAAP is planning and negotiating the possibility of sponsoring a Health Promotion Day for Hmong and Vietnamese refugees in Lansing this coming fall.

*On August 12, HAAP will participate in the Chinese American Community Picnic at Kensington Metro Park provided by the Association of Chinese Americans. HAAP will be responsible for Health Promotion and BCCCP recruiting.

4. 2000 U.S. Census

* According to the report in Ann Arbor News (July 1, 2001, PA1, A9), Asians are Ann Arbor’s largest minority group, at 12 percent of the total population. More than a third are Chinese-American, 24% Asian Indian, and 18% Korean. 14,000 people living in Ann Arbor identified themselves as Asian for Census 2000, and 20,338 Asians as Washtenaw County residents.

☺ The HAAP is looking forward to your further support. Take care of yourself and help others.

This project is funded by the Department of Community Health of the State of Michigan. The HAAP wishes to express sincere appreciation for the support of the Minority Health Office of the State of Michigan. Our heartfelt thanks go to State Senator Alma Wheeler Smith, for helping bring the Asian American health issues to the forefront. Our most grateful thanks go to Asian American community organizations, volunteers, and Asian women and their family members for their support.