Health Issues in Korean Americans

PURPOSE: This article summarizes demographic characteristics of Korean Americans and reviews health issues in this population. METHODS: The authors reviewed census data, monographs, books and medical literature published in the English language. FINDINGS: Korean Americans are one of the fastest growing Asian American groups in the United States. They are a heterogeneous population, differing in their cultural, religious and linguistic norms. Early data suggest that Korean Americans have lower overall mortality rates than the general United States population. However, they have special problems with respect to stomach cancer, liver cancer, hepatitis, mental health, access to health care and other issues. CONCLUSIONS: The health issues of Korean Americans have been generally overlooked until the present time. Examination of these emerging problems should contribute to the future of American health. RELEVANCE TO ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN POPULATIONS: This paper is particularly relevant to Korean Americans. KEY WORDS: Korean Americans, health education, hepatitis B, stomach cancer and tuberculosis