Citation
Palmquist, Aunchalee E. L.; Wilkinson, Anna V.; Sandoval, Juan-Miguel; & Koehly, Laura M. (2012). Age-Related Differences in Biomedical and Folk Beliefs as Causes for Diabetes and Heart Disease among Mexican Origin Adults. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 14(4), 596-601. PMCID: PMC3445028Abstract
An understanding of health beliefs is key to creating culturally appropriate health services for Hispanic populations in the US. In this study we explore age-based variations in causal beliefs for heart disease and diabetes among Mexican origin adults in Houston, TX. This cross-sectional study included 497 adults of Mexican origin. Participants were asked to indicate the importance of biomedically defined and folk illness-related risk factors as causes for heart disease and diabetes. Biomedical risk factors were ranked highest as causes of diabetes and heart disease among all participants. Folk illness-related factors were ranked below biomedical factors as causes of heart disease among all age groups. Susto was ranked above the median as a risk factor for diabetes among older participants. Age-related differences in causal beliefs may have implications for designing culturally appropriate health services, such as tailored diabetes interventions for older Mexican origin adults.URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10903-011-9522-1Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2012Journal Title
Journal of Immigrant and Minority HealthAuthor(s)
Palmquist, Aunchalee E. L.Wilkinson, Anna V.
Sandoval, Juan-Miguel
Koehly, Laura M.