Approximately 450,000 Chinese living in New York City, represent 5% of the city’s total population. More than 50% of the Chinese population is foreign-born and a large proportion has "limited" or "very limited" English proficiency and lack health insurance coverage. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Asians had the lowest cancer screening rate among all ethnic groups. In addition, Asian men are disproportionately affected by lung cancer (a result of their heavy smoking), while the incidence of liver cancer among Asian men is between seven and ten times higher than among white men. Due to language and cultural barriers, many Asian immigrants do not have access to cancer prevention information, screenings, cancer care services and patient support programs. This disparity in health care results in a high cancer related mortality. To close this gap, the American Cancer Society, Eastern Division, Asian Initiatives has been providing the following services to the Asian community:
- Linguistically accurate and culturally appropriate cancer information via
community forums, radio and television programs, and material translation,
- Free cancer screenings for under-insured Asian Americans,
- Free smoking cessation counseling and nicotine replacement therapy to help smokers to quit
smoking, and
- Free services for cancer patients such as patient navigation, individual counseling, support groups, transportation for chemo / radiation therapy, pre or post surgery support, etc.
Dr. Chang is Executive Director, Chinese Unit, American Cancer Society, Eastern Division, Flushing, NY |
Conference Program 2008
Scientific Meeting 2008
