Considerations of Culture and Community in the Production of H mong Health

• Published in: Family and consumer sciences research journal 2014-03, Vol.42 (3), p.224-234
• Main Author: Sparks, Shannon M. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1077-727X; 1552-3934
• DOI: 10.1111/fcsr.12057

Health is locally produced by individuals, families, and households through the interplay and strategic utilization of a variety of internal and external resources, yet distally influenced by the larger ecological environment within which these are situated. The specific environmental factors that influence health vary across time and space, but are important to understanding and addressing health disparities. Data for this project come from 33 H mong women who participated in focus groups conducted as part of an exploratory community‐based research study investigating cervical cancer screening disparities in the M ilwaukee, W isconsin H mong community. Participants identified a number of factors broadly falling into two ecological contexts—culture (beliefs about disease causation, treatment seeking, and modesty) and community (collective decision making, health literacy, and language)—influencing screening decisions. Understanding of these factors is important for developing culturally embedded and locally relevant solutions aimed at effectively increasing cervical cancer screening rates and improving health outcomes for H mong women.