Aging and resilience in Vietnamese American older adults: Evidence from the Vietnamese Insights into Cognitive Aging Program.

Experiences of Postpartum Fatigue Among Vietnamese American Women.

ABSTRACT Vietnamese American writer Monique Truong focuses on the power dynamics between Vietnamese cooks and bourgeois employers in her novel The Book of Salt (2003). While the novel conducts a literary reinvigoration of the historic abjection of Asian kitchen laborers, Truong maps the variability of Asian identity in the Western households through various forms of affective culinary acts. This article argues that the bourgeois intimacy between the white employers and the Vietnamese laborer grants opportunities for the protagonist, a queer diasporic Vietnamese, to resist the colonial appropriation of Asian bodies and cultures. It investigates how the Vietnamese laborers use culinary acts to infuse the food with the affective powers that the kitchens strive to contain. Truong’s representation of food sharing and eating arguably imagines formations of diasporic queer communities and underscores a postcolonial concern for bourgeois intimacy by blurring the boundaries underpinning the construction of Western liberal households.

Participating in a Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program improves self-care behaviors, quality of life, and health outcomes. However, language barriers and cultural differences can hinder participation, leaving many Vietnamese Americans with limited access to DSMES services. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a 3-month Blended Automated Links Augmented by Nurse Call and Engagement (BALANCE) intervention designed to deliver culturally tailored DSMES in the Vietnamese language, with participants monitored for 12 months afterward to assess sustained effects on key outcomes. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used, guided by the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM) framework. Feasibility and acceptability were measured by the participation rate of eligible clinics and patients, patient message response rate, and retention rate. Focus groups were conducted to assess adoption and sustainability. A pilot single-arm, prospective interventional trial was conducted with a sample of 88 Vietnamese American adults with type 2 diabetes from 10 primary care clinics. Surveys were administered at baseline and every 3 months over 12 months. Repeated measures ANOVA assessed changes in clinical outcomes at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Qualitative data from in-depth interviews and focus groups were thematically analyzed to validate and expand on quantitative findings. Integrated analysis using joint display enabled meta-inferences across data sources. Among 88 participants (mean age 68, SD 9.8; range 35-86 years), the intervention did not significantly affect glycated hemoglobin A1c (P=.63) but led to a statistically and clinically significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein (P=.001) and improvement in exercise performance (P=.04). Qualitative data from 45 patient interviews reached data saturation, with 80% (n=36) describing the intervention as "convenient" and "helpful." Clinic staff (n=18) participated in 3 focus groups and endorsed the intervention as acceptable and feasible. Mixed methods analysis confirmed high feasibility (83% clinic participation and 100% clinic retention) and acceptability (90.9% patient retention). Key barriers to sustainability included limited staffing and supply infrastructure. Intervention feasibility and acceptability were demonstrated but require further refinement to achieve long-term, consistent glycemic control. Findings indicated that clinic staff workload and clinic workflow were key determinants of the study's feasibility and acceptability. Future research should test BALANCE in a fully powered randomized controlled trial to evaluate intervention effectiveness.

This article examines precedents of Asian American sociopolitical marginalization in the United States and considers how appropriations of mobility and community building practices have resisted and relocated the assignations of those margins. Considering precedents of immigration exclusion, wartime incarceration, and refugee resettlement, the article excavates underlying continuities between these cases. It then turns to a specific examination of Vietnamese American resettlement and secondary migration processes following dispersion policies imposed by policy agendas to culturally assimilate Southeast Asian refugees in 1975 following the Vietnam War. Assimilation agenda trajectories were appropriated through secondary migration and affordances of automobility. Such histories of Asian American refusals offer their own precedents for reconstituting community, rebuilding solidarity, and asserting recognition.

This article examines graduate student perspectives on the experiences and needs of Vietnamese American parents of children with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) needs, developed through a service-learning project. Over 16 weeks, graduate students in special education and speech-language pathology programs engaged in open-ended conversations, collaborative activities, and reflective assignments with Vietnamese American families. Through these interactions, they gained insight into the families' perspectives and the barriers they face when implementing AAC for their children across multiple settings, including home, school, and community. Students identified multiple barriers to AAC use at home, including systemic constraints, lack of training for both families and professionals, language and cultural mismatches, technological challenges, and financial strain. Students reported that parents felt unsupported and often excluded from decision-making processes. They also voiced a need for culturally and linguistically relevant resources, AAC tools, and stronger collaboration with school teams. The findings illustrate the value of service learning in preparing future professionals to deliver equitable, culturally responsive, and family-centered AAC services and highlight how engaging directly with underserved families can deepen students' understanding of communication inequities and foster a commitment to advocacy across educational and clinical settings.

Trends in cardiovascular mortality among disaggregated Asian American subgroups: 2018-2022

Cumulative adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and psychological distress have been shown to negatively affect mental health across the lifespan. Less is known, however, about how ACEs might impact mental health help-seeking behavior in adulthood, especially among Asian Americans, a population with high exposure to trauma who also face cultural barriers to mental health care. The study’s aim was to evaluate the prevalence of ACEs within a sample of Asian American respondents, the relationship of ACEs and psychological distress with help-seeking, and the association of ACEs with different types of help-seeking behaviors. Data from the 2021 California Health Interview Survey (N = 4,345) were analyzed. Pairwise comparisons examined differences in ACEs and covariates across the seven Asian American subgroups (Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, South Asian, and Other Asian American). Multivariable logistic regression analyses evaluated the relationship between ACEs and covariates with professional and emerging digital mental health help-seeking behaviors. The joint effect between ACEs and Asian American subgroup was evaluated for each type of mental health help-seeking. Covariates included psychological distress, gender, age, marital status, insurance, education, English proficiency, self-rated health, and being U.S.-born. Asian American adults with 4 + ACEs were more likely to seek mental health help from primary care practitioners, mental health professionals, and social media/blogs/online forums than respondents with ≤ 3 ACEs. Moderate/severe psychological distress increased likelihood to seek mental health help. No significant interaction between ACEs and Asian American subgroup was found. Findings indicate that Asian American respondents with elevated ACEs and distress are more likely to seek mental health help from professional and emerging digital resources. This suggests a demand for these resources among those with higher needs. Differences across ACEs and distress levels in help-seeking behaviors emphasize the need for culturally tailored interventions and accessible mental health resources to better support the diverse help-seeking preferences within the Asian American community.

To describe ocular abnormalities of pet and sanctuary-housed domestic pigs presented to an academic veterinary hospital. Electronic medical records at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals were searched for pigs having undergone a complete ophthalmic examination by a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists between 2011 and 2024. Signalment, examination findings, diagnoses, and treatments were reviewed. 36 domestic pigs of a variety of breeds were represented, including Vietnamese pot-bellied (22 of 36), American Miniature (4 of 36), Yorkshire (2 of 36), Berkshire (1 of 36), mixed breed (2 of 36), and unknown breeds (5 of 36). Most ocular abnormalities were adnexal with the following abnormalities diagnosed: excessive periocular fat ("fat blindness"; 8 of 36), corneal ulceration (8 of 36), blepharitis/periocular dermatitis (7 of 36), conjunctivitis (7 of 36), entropion (3 of 36), and eyelid neoplasia (melanoma; 1 of 36). Cataracts were diagnosed in 2 (3 eyes) of 36 pigs. A wide range of ocular disease impacted pet and sanctuary-housed pigs. Vision-threatening ophthalmic disease appeared to be rare, aside from functional blindness associated with excessive periocular fat. This study provided veterinarians with new information on the ophthalmic diseases that affect pigs as well as approaches to treatment.

Background/Objectives: There is an invisibility of the diabetes epidemic among Vietnamese Americans. Not only is there limited availability of culturally and linguistically tailored national Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) programs, but there are enrollment and retention challenges that hinder these programs’ sustainability and expansion. The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural beliefs, perceived barriers, and motivating factors that influence Vietnamese Americans’ willingness to engage in existing diabetes prevention and self-management programs. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study design was used. A total of 26 participants were recruited through snowball sampling. Bilingual Vietnamese American researchers conducted semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was used to analyze data. Results: Most participants were in the earlier stages of readiness for engagement in a national diabetes program. Major barriers to engagement were related to financial and time constraints, notable among middle-aged participants. Key motivators for engagement included increasing health awareness and family and other social support. Despite their hesitation regarding diabetes program engagement, most participants were further along in the stages of readiness for self-directed lifestyle management. Conclusions: These results will guide the development of a linguistically and culturally adapted diabetes prevention and management program that will support individuals at various stages of their behavior change journey. The program should align with cultural values, address structural barriers, and emphasize the integration of social and familial motivators.

PurposeTo determine the proportion with pseudoexfoliation, or exfoliation syndrome (EXF), among a clinic population of Vietnamese patients, and to assess their clinical and demographic characteristics.Patients and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective survey of all adult Vietnamese-identifying patients examined between August 2019 and December 2021 in a single glaucoma-trained physician clinic in San, Jose, CA, home to a large Vietnamese population. All patients received at least one dilated eye examination by a glaucoma-fellowship trained specialist to detect exfoliation. Patients with a billing diagnosis of EXF were further selected for detailed review of their electronic health records.ResultsAmong the 4860 Vietnamese patients reviewed within the study period, 89 (1.8%) were found to have EXF. The average age of the EXF patients was 81±8 (range 66–99) years. There was equal gender distribution (44 female, 45 male). Among the 119 eyes with exfoliation, 66 (55.46%) had narrow angles, 71 (59.66%) had glaucoma and 54 (45.38%) had undergone cataract surgery.ConclusionThis study is the first to investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of EXF in a Vietnamese American clinic population. In this cohort of Vietnamese patients from a single ophthalmic clinic, 1.8% were found to have exfoliation syndrome. Among the EXF cases, there were substantial numbers with narrow angles, glaucoma, and history of cataract surgery.

Asian Americans are disproportionately affected by chronic hepatitis B (CHB), which is caused by infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). While adherence to antiviral medication is an effective practical approach to managing CHB and preventing liver cancer, medication adherence rates among Chinese and Vietnamese Americans with CHB, two vulnerable yet understudied populations, remain largely unknown. We designed and implemented a randomized controlled clinical trial to investigate the potential improvement of long-term adherence to HBV medication in Asian American populations. Eligible Asian American HBV patients were recruited from the Greater Philadelphia and New York City. HBV medication adherence was assessed using the 8-Item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. We conducted ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to examine the intervention effects on medication adherence among 129 Chinese and Vietnamese Americans taking CHB medication. Among 129 participants (91 Chinese and 38 Vietnamese), about three-quarters (74.4%) reported limited English proficiency. Almost one out of 10 (9.3%) did not have any health insurance. OLS regression results indicated that the intervention had a significant impact on improving medication adherence at 12-month follow-up assessment (coefficient = 0.56, p = 0.04). In addition, we found that depression score at baseline was negatively associated with medication adherence at 12-month follow-up assessment (coefficient = -0.10, p = 0.003), with other covariates held constant. The findings show that a community-based culturally appropriate intervention significantly improved adherence to medication among Chinese and Vietnamese Americans with CHB in a 12-month period. Providing mental health support to CHB patients in this population may play an important role in improving medication adherence. [https://clinicaltrials.gov/study], identifier [NCT04082338].

This study explores the Vietnamese American experience in sport and physical activity. Framed through Lisa Lowe’s conceptions of hybridity, heterogeneity, and multiplicity, results from 18 semi-structured interviews generated three themes: connection to Vietnamese community and culture, desire for Vietnamese representation, and Vietnamese American sport and physical activity identities. Findings illustrate how sports and physical activity participation conjured mixed feelings regarding how participants see themselves in relation to the makeup of their identities while also underpinning their connection to Vietnamese culture and community. By focusing on a specific ethnic group, this study disaggregates Asian Americans in studies of sport and physical activity to address empirical gaps related to particular ethnocultural populations.

BackgroundPrior U.S. studies have reported higher per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) levels among Asian/Pacific Islanders (API) than other race/ethnicity groups. High seafood consumption may disproportionately expose API communities to adverse health effects from PFAS-contaminated seafood. We estimated associations between seafood consumption and serum PFAS levels among Chinese and Vietnamese American adults in the San Francisco Bay Area, California.MethodsFrom 2016 to 2017, Biomonitoring California collaborated with community partners to recruit 195 participants. Participants completed an exposure questionnaire and provided blood samples for analysis of PFASs and mercury. We pooled associations between seafood consumption and six PFASs using multivariable linear regressions adjusted for demographic covariates and immigration history using a two-stage approach.ResultsPFOS, PFUnDA, PFDA, and PFNA increased 6–10% per five meals of any seafood over the past 30 days. Consuming fish more than three times per week over the past 30 days was associated with higher PFOS (38%) and PFUnDA (42%) compared to consumption below USDA guidelines of at least two meals of fish per week. Caught fish consumed three or more times per week over the past year was associated with 66–125% higher levels of PFOS, PFUnDA, PFDA, and PFNA, compared to consumption less than once per month. Consumption of non-fillet fish parts was associated with 34–124% higher PFOS, PFUnDA, PFDA, PFNA, PFHxS, and PFOA levels compared to no consumption.ConclusionsThese findings suggest a significant route of PFAS exposure for two populations and identify opportunities to reduce exposures through expanding testing and developing culturally appropriate advisories for seafood consumption.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at10.1007/s12403-025-00743-y.

This article examines how second-generation Vietnamese American women negotiate gender within the diasporic home. Drawing on 28 in-depth interviews and guided by a Doing Gender through Intersectionality framework, the study analyzes how speech, silence, labor, and embodied comportment function as sites where gender is enacted, policed, and resisted under intersecting forces of race, migration, and family hierarchy. Thematic analysis identifies three patterns: (1) the persistence of patriarchal labor expectations that position daughters as both wage earners and caretakers; (2) the regulation of femininity through Vietnamese cultural binaries of hiền (gentle, deferential) and dử (aggressive, unruly), intersecting with U.S. racialized standards of femininity; and (3) strategies of resistance through quiet defiance, silences, and embodied acts that preserve ties while challenging norms. We introduce transraced immigrant striving to describe the double bind in which daughters must excel professionally while remaining modest, obedient, and culturally authentic.

BackgroundRacial and ethnic minorities in the U.S. are disproportionately impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRDs). Among U.S. Latinos, 11.1% are living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 5.3% with mild dementia due to ADRD. Vietnamese Americans, one of the fastest‐growing ethnic groups in the country are also at risk of ADRDs as their population ages. Now, more than ever, timely and accurate ADRD screening is necessary for early intervention.Cognitive assessments, including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), are vital for early screening of cognitive decline. However, performance may be influenced by educational attainment or cultural factors, leading to challenges in accurately differentiating cognitively impaired individuals from individuals with low educational status. This study examines the relationship between education and cognitive performance (MoCA total and domain scores) in Latino and Vietnamese participants of the community‐based, Skills‐Based Educational strategies for Reduction of Vascular Events in Orange County, California (SERVE OC) trial, to identify the domains most impacted by education.MethodsData from the SERVE OC study were used (NIMHD P50MD017366). Study participants were restricted to randomized Latino and Vietnamese individuals, ≥18 years who completed the MoCA at baseline (December 2022‐April 2024) (n = 292). Multivariable regression models examined associations between education (≤8 years vs. >8 years) and MoCA total and domain scores adjusting for demographic and health factors and comparing findings across race/ethnicity.ResultsParticipants averaged 48.15(SD:14.44) years old (Latino: 45.76; Vietnamese: 62.64), were 66.78% female and 54.11% had ≤8 years of education. MoCA scores averaged 22.40;SD=4.38 (Latino: 22.02, SD=4.41; Vietnamese: 24.74;SD=3.42). Having ≤8 years of education was significantly associated with lower MoCA total scores (cBeta=‐2.79, p <0.01; aBeta=‐1.71, p <0.01) and for Latinos, lower scores in visuospatial/executive function (B=‐0.61;p<0.01), attention (B=‐0.86;p<0.01), and language (B=‐0.57;p<0.01) domains. Vietnamese participants with ≤8 years of education had lower abstraction domain scores (B=‐0.85;p<0.05). Mean MoCA scores 2.72 points lower in Latino participants compared to Vietnamese participants.ConclusionStudy findings underscore the importance of developing, validating and utilizing culturally appropriate and comprehensive cognitive assessments that transcend culture, education, and clinical risk factors. Future studies are necessary to better validate cognitive assessments in low‐education populations, globally.

BackgroundFamily caregivers of individuals with dementia may get little respite due to around‐the‐clock care for a loved one. Over time, caregivers may experience the loss of personal freedom that negatively impacts their health and quality of life. Current research on dementia caregiving is limited in its inclusion of Asian American caregivers. This study explores the meaning of diminished freedom among Vietnamese Americans caring for a family member with dementia. The study's contributions deepen our understanding of interpersonal and sociocultural contexts that shape Vietnamese Americans caregivers’ sense of freedom and further guide culturally‐responsive interventions to promote caregiver wellness.MethodTwenty individual, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with Vietnamese American caregivers of a family member with dementia – recruited from ethnic specific agencies. Interviews were conducted in Vietnamese and simultaneously translated and transcribed into English. Our team coded coded data thematically using Dedoose.ResultFindings highlighted three dimensions to the gradual loss of freedom that parallelled the caregiving journey: physical, social, and psychological. Physical loss referred to caregivers’ inability to leave the house or have personal space due to around‐the‐clock care for loved ones. The loss of physical freedom was exacerbated by social losses, described as caregivers feeling isolated and disconnected from social support systems. Caregivers further highlighted their loss of psychological freedom – which arose from constant preoccupation with thoughts, worries, and emotions related to caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers juxtaposed the need for personal freedom with caregiving obligations, often resulting in a diminished sense of personal freedom as caregiving priorities take over. Caregiver expressed a desire to fulfill personal freedom while still upholding their familial duties and cultural values related to caregiving.ConclusionHelping professionals who provide support to Vietnamese American caregivers should consider the physical, social, and psychological dimensions of freedom – embedded within sociocultural context – when developing culturally‐tailored interventions to promote caregiver wellness.

BackgroundAsian Americans (ASAs) are one of the fastest growing racial groups in the U.S. since 2000, with population projections surpassing 24 million by 2030. However, ASAs remain significantly underrepresented in research, including in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) studies. The ARISE study aims to assess the prevalence of multi‐level discrimination experiences among ASAs and its association on cognitive performance and AD biomarkers, while evaluating psychosocial protective factors and cardiometabolic risk factors as potential moderators. ARISE also aims to demonstrate feasibility of harmonizing data collection and blood collection for linguistically and culturally diverse ASA populations for AD research, which is described here.MethodARISE, launched on May 15, 2024, has three sites with the goal of recruiting 500 older (≥65 years old) Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese Americans in California. We developed a comprehensive study protocol and a centralized data management system. Each participant completes sociodemographic surveys (measuring social support, individual‐level discrimination, degree of acculturation), cognitive battery (measuring global cognition, memory, executive function), physical and mental health assessments (measuring cardiometabolic factors and depression) and a blood draw (measuring cardiometabolic and AD biomarkers) with data collection packets available in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Area‐level discrimination measures are derived from participants’ geographic data.ResultAs of January 23, 2025, 252 (84 Chinese, 56 Korean, and 112 Vietnamese) participants have enrolled and completed the assessments, with 217 (86.1%) also having completed the blood draw (remaining participants are awaiting scheduling). The mean age of the participants is 74.37 (SD = 5.56) with 59% identifying as female. Nearly all are first‐generation (99%), most reported having limited English proficiency (85%), and 53% have attended some higher education. Recruitment is anticipated to conclude in June 2025, with subsequent processing and analysis of AD biomarkers to follow.ConclusionThe ARISE study will provide a better understanding of the frequency, severity, and implications of multi‐level discrimination on cognitive performance and as a social determinant of AD pathophysiology. ARISE's study design and recruitment demonstrate the feasibility of engaging more ASAs into AD research, and establishes a robust framework for protocols and procedures in multilingual cognitive research for future studies.

BackgroundResearch has shown that individual and structural discrimination are linked to risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). This link remains understudied in Asian Americans, despite the rise in anti‐Asian hate stemming from the COVID‐19 pandemic. The Asian Americans and Racism: Individual and Structural Experiences (ARISE) pilot study aims to explore associations of discrimination experiences to ADRD risk while evaluating the feasibility of recruiting Chinese‐, Korean‐, and Vietnamese‐speaking older adults (≥65 years old) for cognitive testing and blood draw. This abstract highlights cultural and linguistic considerations when working with these populations in ADRD research.MethodAssessments are conducted in participants’ primary language (Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Vietnamese) and include: 1) a blood draw to test cardiometabolic and ADRD biomarkers; and 2) an interview that includes cognitive testing, anthropometric and vital signs measurements, sociodemographic background, medical history, mental health, social support, and multi‐level discrimination experiences spanning from everyday and major lifetime experiences to residential segregation and structural anti‐immigrant prejudice. Validated assessments in each language were sourced by a language committee. If unavailable, instruments were translated and adapted following the World Health Organization translation guidelines. Examiners undergo training with cognitive experts in each language to ensure culturally appropriate assessments.ResultRecruitment strategies are tailored in collaboration with community organizations to align with each language group's preferences, including adjusting the blood draw and interview sequence and hosting group blood draws where participants completed the procedure together, fostering a sense of community and reducing anxiety. Engaging in outreach events and providing culturally relevant incentives (i.e. Asian grocery store gift cards) helped foster trust and encourage retention. As of January 23, 2025, 252 participants have enrolled (112 Vietnamese, 56 Korean, 84 Chinese), with 217 completing both blood draw and interview, and the remaining participants awaiting scheduling.ConclusionThe ARISE pilot study demonstrates that collaborations with community partners played an important role in facilitating successful recruitment and study completion, specifically in conducting cognitive assessments and collecting blood samples with older Asian Americans in ADRD research. Future findings will be crucial in guiding future ADRD research in underrepresented populations.

Vietnamese Americans experience high rates of infectious disease-related cancers, specifically cervical cancer caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and liver cancer linked to Hepatitis B (Hep B). Vaccination is critical for cancer prevention, but HPV and Hep B vaccine uptake remains suboptimal among this group. This qualitative study examined factors influencing Vietnamese American young adults' decisions to receive elective vaccines, including HPV, Hep B, flu, and COVID-19. Twenty-one participants, aged 18 to 26, were recruited through social media platforms and participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed high levels of vaccine acceptance, with common themes including family influence, cultural values, and concerns about side effects. While COVID-19 and flu vaccines were generally accepted due to work or school requirements, family protection, and trust in health care providers, HPV and Hep B vaccines had more hesitancy, particularly due to misconceptions around reproductive health and lack of awareness. Results highlight the cultural importance of familial responsibility, particularly the concept of filial piety, in COVID-19 vaccine uptake. The study suggests future cancer vaccine interventions should integrate cultural and familial dynamics to position HPV and Hep B vaccines as essential cancer prevention tools. Engaging families, health care providers, and community networks in vaccine promotion efforts may help improve coverage rates and reduce cancer disparities in the Vietnamese American population.