Amount Requested: $2,600,000.00

This project will support a telephone survey collecting information on the health status and health needs, as well as health knowledge, practices, and attitudes toward major health concerns, including the environment, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes in Asian Americans residing in Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston and Brazoria counties.  There has never been such a survey of all the major Asian American ethnic groups in the City of Houston or the State of Texas, and few of such nationally in their native language.  Given that Houston is indicative of what the American population will be in the next 25 years, a survey is essential if we are to meet the health needs of the Asian American community.  Since this is the first comprehensive health survey targeting Asian Americans in the Houston area and Texas in their native languages, the findings from this study will add to the limited body on knowledge on the health of Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) in Houston and in the nation.  For example, this project was highlighted at the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities Advisory Council Meeting in early March, 2007.  Such knowledge will be valuable for developing civilian and military educational and intervention programs that are culturally appropriate for this population.