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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 3/2013

01-06-2013 | Original Paper

Health Literacy in Korean Immigrants at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Authors: Sarah E. Choi, Elizabeth Rush, Shayna Henry

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 3/2013

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Abstract

Rising incidence of type 2 diabetes (DM) in Korean immigrants has highlighted the need for better prevention efforts. Health literacy is an important predictor in the utilization of preventative health measures, however little is known about health literacy in Korean immigrants. This study examined DM risk factors in a sample of 145 at-risk Korean immigrants, their level of health literacy, and associations between health literacy and DM risk factors. Findings indicated a high prevalence of DM risk factors and a low level of health literacy in the sample. Health literacy was correlated with English proficiency, acculturation, and lower waist to hip ratios among all participants, and with lower blood glucose levels among highly acculturated participants. Korean immigrants who are less acculturated may have lower health literacy than those who are more acculturated. Thus, linguistically and culturally sensitive health education should be incorporated into diabetes prevention efforts.
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Metadata
Title
Health Literacy in Korean Immigrants at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
Authors
Sarah E. Choi
Elizabeth Rush
Shayna Henry
Publication date
01-06-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 3/2013
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9672-9

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