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List of Topics:
ASIAN AMERICAN POPULATION PROFILEDr. Douglas K. ChungAccording to the U.S. Census, the term Asian Americans refers to people living in the United States whose ancestors were native inhabitants of the Far East, Southeast Asian and the India Subcontinent. These categories are subdivided as follows: Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Bangladeshi, Malayan, Indonesian, Pakistani and all other Asian (According to the US Census 2000). There are nearly 500 languages and dialects among the Asian Americans category (which also includes Pacific Islanders). Asians are one of the fastest growing racial/ethnic groups in the United States and represent 50 Asian and Pacific Islander nations. The Asian population represents varying socioeconomic characteristics, levels of acculturation, immigration history, and health profiles. ASSESSMENT OF ASIAN AMERICANS NEEDS, PROBLEMS, AND ASSETS An assessment of Asian Americans needs and problems was done by Dr. Douglas K. Chung in 1993, and is updated for 2002. The Asian American history stems from the un-welcomed immigrants to contemporary discrimination. Additionally, the issues such as Asian youths confluence and conflict, submissive Asian women battled, suffering from the "Model Minority" and "Triple Minority", the grave concern of Asian elderly, adjustment issues encountered by Asian males, discrimination in Western Michigan, and non-culturally competent human service practice encountered.American Society has labeled the Asian/Pacific Islander population as the "model minority". This is proven through a statistical analysis that concluded the Asian/Pacific Islander population comprises of 3% of the total, with 30% of those considered "high achievers" (according to the San Francisco Unified School District). The numbers that the American Public was not informed of were out of that same student population, 27% of these student dropped out of school (Asian American Students at Risk 1996). According to "We The American Asians" written by the U.S. Census office, 6.9 million American Asians currently and that is a 99 percent increase since the 1980 census. The dramatic increase is due to the immigration from China, India, Korea, the Philippines and other Asian and Pacific Island areas following the adoption of the Immigration Act of 1965. The census has improved as well. AN ASIAN VIEW OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCES In 1978 a group of Vietnamese, after suffering cultural shock in the United States, drafted a list of cultural differences. The list, with additions, is an excellent summary of cultural differences from an Asian perspective.
ASIAN AMERICAN POPULATION PROFILE The Asian/ Pacific Islander population increased by 45% between the years 1990 and 1999. Population projections by middle-series show that the Asian/Pacific Islander population will triple between the years 1999 and 2050, thereby increasing the percentage from 4 to 9% of the total United States population. The majority of the population is young and comprises of 29 percent under the age of 18 and over the age of 65 is only 7%. (U.S. Census 2000) BIPOLAR OCCUPATIONAL ROLES AMONG ASIAN AMERICANS Asian and Pacific Islander men and women worked in a managerial or professional occupation, which include: engineers, dentists, teachers, lawyers, and reporters which totals 36% of persons aged 16 and over. The men have a higher rate of obtaining these positions, more than 32 % more than their non-Hispanic White counterparts. This does not, however, apply to the Asian/Pacific Islander Female population, which is close to or the same as the non-Hispanic White women. (U.S. Census 2000) Education plays a large role as to what occupation the Asian/Pacific Islander population enters into. The 1999 statistics show that 42% of the Asian/Pacific Islander population aged 25 and over had a bachelor's degree or higher, which is higher than their non-Hispanic White counterpart at 28%. However, the number is lower for the high school graduate with 85% Asian/Pacific Islanders and 88% for the non-Hispanic Whites. 7 in 10 Asian/Pacific Islanders attended college in 1998 and only 1/2 of the non-Hispanic Whites attended college in 1998. 1 in 7 Asian/Pacific Islanders had an advanced degree in 2000 (Master's, Ph.D., M.D.), which totals 1 million of the Asian/ Pacific Islander population of 25 years and older. Engineering doctorates were awarded to 18% non-Hispanic Asians and Pacific Islanders in 1998. Most Asian/Pacific Islander High School Graduates go directly to college upon graduation and thus totals 78%, and is the highest proportion of any group. (U.S. Census 2000) Family size has another important role in the Bipolar Occupational Roles among Asian Americans. The average Asian family has 3.8 persons, which is larger than the average for all United States families at 3.2%. Subgroups have an even larger proportionate difference with Hmong having the largest average family size of 6.6 persons, Japanese with the smallest at 3.1 persons and the rest showing about 4 persons (Filipino, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laotian). Reasons for these particular numbers being so high also reflected in the percentages of children under 18 living with both parents which totals 82% of the Asian/Pacific Islander population and that is compared to 70% of the total population. The female head of household with no husband present is 12% in comparison to the national average of 17%. There were two subgroups higher than the national average for female head of household with no husband present and that was Cambodian at 26% and Thai at 20%. (The Asian Population 2000)
ASIAN AMERICAN HEALTH
PROFILE Among the preventative diseases, Asian Americans are at high risk for smoking and smoking related illnesses. According to "Tobacco Use Among U.S. Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups: A Report of the Surgeon General, 1998", Lung Cancer was the leading cause of cancer death among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (22.3%). The men had a higher rate, 27.9 per 100,000 while the women had a lower rate 11.4 per 100,000. Within the subgroups the Hawaiian had the highest rates; Hawaiian men had a rate of 88.9 per 100,000 and Hawaiian women had a rate of 44.1 per 100,000. While the lowest in the subgroup category was the Filipino with the men at 29.8 per 100,000 and the women at 10 per 100,000. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) Coronary Heart disease was the lowest for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Within the subgroups, Koreans had the lowest rate at 82 per 100,000 and the Japanese had the highest at 162 per 100,000. (Asian Population 2000, U.S. Census) Only 16.9% of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders smoke cigarettes. The men smoke more 21.6% of Asian American and Pacific Islanders, than the women at 12.4%. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) The high school seniors had reported smoking one-half pack or more per day as follows: male students 4.4%, and female students 4.5%. In 1991 a survey showed that 80% of smokers began smoking regularly by the age of 18. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) Two factors seem to apply as far as smoking behavior, if the Asian American or Pacific Islander has a better understanding of the English language, and has lived in the United States longer they seem to smoke less. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) The Asian American community is targeted strongly with tobacco billboards. A study done in 1993 in San Diego California showed the Asian American community with the most tobacco billboards, and the white communities with the lowest proportion. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) Asian American stores have the highest number of tobacco displays in their establishments, at a percentage of 6.4%. The Hispanic only had 4.6% of the displays, and the African American had only 3.7%. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) Between 1978 and 1995 cigarette smoking declined in the Asian and Pacific Islander population from 24% to 15%. The amount of education directly affects the smoking habit by showing that Adults who obtain a GED have a 44% chance of becoming a smoker, and 38% of dropouts become smokers as well. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) HEALTH AND MORTALITY CONSEQUENCES OF TOBACCO USE From 1992 to 1998 the cancer incidence rates for Asian/Pacific Islanders was 327.7 per 100,000 males, and 252.1 per 100,000 females. From 1992 to 1998 the cancer mortality rates for Asian/Pacific Islanders was 208 per 100,000. From these totals it seems the type of cancer incidents are shown from highest to lowest, respectively; Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer, Lung & Bronchitis Cancer, and Colon & Rectum Cancer. The mortality incidents, however, are slightly different in their highest to lowest rates respectively; Lung & Bronchitis Cancer, Colon & Rectum Cancer, Breast Cancer, and Prostate Cancer. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) 2002 estimates are stating that 170,000 cancer deaths will be directly related to tobacco use and 154,900 will be from lung cancer. 60% of smokers are aged 18 to 44 years old. American Indian/ Alaskan Natives are the highest percentage of smokers in the United States at 40.8% with the Asian/Pacific Islanders being the lowest at 15%. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) In Michigan, the statistics prove that tobacco use is high. 24.2% of persons 18 and older smoke cigarettes with a 31.5% of persons 20 and older with a high school education or less. Tobacco funding is low for Michigan with only .66 per capita Tobacco Control Funding ($). In 1999 a study proved that High School Students in Michigan, had a high rate of tobacco use. These figures are as follows: 34.1% currently smoke, 17.4% frequently smoke and 12.9% of the High School Males use smokeless tobacco. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) Breast Cancer rates have been increasing and the percentage (40%) between the year 1973 and 1998 which is a very serious pattern. The early detection is the key factor in the Breast Cancer statistics. Mammograms are the most important early detection screening that is available for women today. Some factors reduce the incidence, which include the level of education, race, and women without health care insurance. The Asian/Pacific Islander population has a 61% rate of Mammography in the past 2 years, which places them as the lowest percentage (along with Hispanic Women at 61%). (Cancer Facts and Figures) Michigan has a high rate of Mammography and Clinical Breast Exam percentages. In 2000 69.1% of women 40+ years had a mammography, and 61.3% had a clinical breast examination. The mammogram increases by age as follows: 68.1% for 40-64 years, and 71.2 for 65 + years. The clinical breast exam as well as the mammogram are lower, and decrease by age group as follows: 40+ years 61.3%, 40-64 years 62.8% and 65 + at 58.1%. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) Cervical Cancer has decreased and has been directly attributed to the pap smear exam. Asian/Pacific Islander population had the lowest rate of Pap Tests in the United States in 1998, at 67% (had a pap smear test in the last 3 years and the women were 25 or older). This is well below the other race percentages: White 80%, Black 83%, Hispanic 74%, and American Indian/ Alaskan Native 72%. In Michigan, the pap smear test by women 18 and older is shown as follows: 18-44 years = 87.7%, 45+ years = 85.3%, and 65+ years = 73.4%. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) Colon and Rectum Cancer incidence rates have leveled off. Again, early detection is the best for treatment in the early stages of the cancer. Fecal Occult Blood Test and the Sigmoidoscopy are two tests to find early stages of the Colorectal cancer screening. The screening is not common, and less than 1/2 the adults 50 and over have had either of the screenings mentioned above. Racial percentages are also a factor with the following for fecal occult blood test: 36% White, 30% Black, 23% Hispanic, 24% American Indian/ Alaskan Native, and 31% Asian/ Pacific Islander, and the sigmoidoscopy test as follows: 39% White, 32% Black, 27% Hispanic, 29% American Indian/ Alaskan Native and 34% Asian/Pacific Islander. Michigan statistics are showing that 24.2% of people are having a fecal occult blood test, and 39.9% have had a sigmoidoscopy. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, coming in second to skin cancer. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in men in the United States as well. There is not a lot of data on pre-cancer screening for Prostate Cancer. There is a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test and the digital rectal exam that can screen for Prostate Cancer. (Cancer Facts and Figures 2002) ASIAN AMERICANS IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN In the state of Michigan, the Asian population has increased from 107,149 in 1990 (1.2%), to 145,553 in 1998 (1.5%), to 178,892 for the year 2000 (1.8%). (U.S. Census 2000) Economic growth, social support groups, and cultural opportunities in the area are the major forces that attract Asian Americans to relocate in Michigan. However, Michigan's growth over the last decade has been slower than the nation as a whole. The nation's growth has recently been fueled largely by international immigration, which is the highest in the western states and the lowest in the Midwest. (U.S. Census 2000) Michigan Population 2003
The Asian Population totals by county in the State of Michigan
ASIAN POPULATION ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN There are many Asian American organizations that exist in Michigan. These organizations belong to the following categories; fine, folk and performance art based organizations, political organizations, professional organizations, religious organizations, social service and cultural organizations, health and educational organizations, and non-profit or for profit organizations. ASIAN AMERICANS IN THE WEST MICHIGAN COMMUNITY According to the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey Profile, 2003, approximately 19,847 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders reside in Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties. The major subgroup populations which account for the highest percentage rates are:
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