Studies Examine Whether Information About Colon Cancer Discourages Blacks From Screening; Job Stress Among Filipino Immigrants; How Acculturation Affects Hispanic Families’ Diet, Weight

• "Unintended Effects of Emphasizing Disparities in Cancer Communication to African-Americans," Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention: For the study, researcher Robert Nicholson, an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry at the St. Louis University School of Public Health, and colleagues surveyed 300 black adults who were asked to state their likelihood of being screened for colon cancer after reading one of four news articles about the disease. The first article stressed that colon cancer was an important problem among blacks. The second stated that outcomes for blacks with colon cancer were worse than for whites, and a third stated that outcomes for blacks were improving, but not at the rate of whites. The last article stated that outcomes for blacks with colon cancer were improving over time. Researchers found that participants who read the last article were far more likely to want to be screened for the disease and have a positive emotional response to the information than those who read the other three articles (American Association of Cancer Research release, 11/6). Those that read the first article, which simply stated the problem, were more likely to have a negative response and less likely to want to be screened (Nicholson et al., Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, November 2008). The November issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention features a special section on racial and ethnic cancer disparities.
  
  
• "Job-Related Stress and Chronic Health Conditions Among Filipino Immigrants," Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health: A.B. de Castro of the University of Washington School of Nursing and the Department of Psychosocial and Community Health and colleagues examined data on 1,381 Filipino immigrants who self-reported chronic health conditions such as asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis or cardiovascular disease. Researchers then looked at participants' job categories and levels of job-related stress, such as whether participants enjoyed their current duties or co-workers. According to the study, job-related stress was associated with adverse health outcomes no matter how long immigrants had been in the U.S. and that link was strongest among the newest immigrants. Researchers conclude, "New immigrants should be recognized as a vulnerable group with regard to the impact of work on their well-being" (de Catsro et al., Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, December 2008).
  
  
• "The Influence of Immigrant Status and Acculturation on the Development of Overweight in Latino Families: A Qualitative Study," Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health: For the study, Katarina Sussner of Mount Sinai School of Medicine's Department of Oncological Sciences, Cancer Prevention and Control and colleagues conducted focus groups, in-depth personal interviews and surveys with 51 Hispanic immigrant women who had children, asking them to compare lifestyles between their native countries and the U.S. According to the women, after moving to the U.S., their families experienced changes in dietary quality and intake, physical activity and the increase of sedentary behaviors -- all factors associated with becoming overweight. The women also noted changes in eating practices and routines; breastfeeding; cultural beliefs about food, child feeding and weight status; time pressures; and a lack of social support networks. According to the researchers, the study findings "corroborate previous research highlighting the negative impact of acculturation" on immigrant Hispanics' diets (Sussner, Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, December 2008).