Health acculturation of Asian migrants in the U.S.

Abstract

ABSTRACTAcculturation processes involve the development of language proficiency, cultural participation, and social relations. However, healthcare, an essential aspect of people’s life, is typically left out of the purview of understanding the acculturation process in academic literature. This study fills the gap by examining the acculturation process in the domain of healthcare among Asian migrants and proposes a concept of health acculturation. Based on qualitative interviews with Asian migrants in the U.S., this study proposes a five-dimensional health acculturation model encompassing health literacy, health beliefs and attitudes, health behaviors and practices, health systems, and health-related social networks/support. We argue that the model helps investigate the multifaceted health acculturation processes.