FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DEARBORN, Mich. — A ground-breaking study released in January by the ACCESS Community Health and Research Center (CHRC) shows that chronic diseases, such as diabetes, equally affect Arab Americans because of cultural factors that impact healthy lifestyles. Low-income, foreign-born immigrants, also, are at a higher-risk for chronic diseases.
These findings are part of a series of reports compiled in the second edition of the ACCESS Health Journal published by the social and economic services nonprofit in Dearborn. The journal chronicles the proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Health Issues in Arab Communities, a three-day conference held in October 2012 that is designed to enhance the public’s understanding of social determinants of health among Arab communities in the United States.
The journal highlights national findings, such as the rising number of Arab American women screened for breast cancer in Brooklyn, N.Y., as well as results from international studies such as factors contributing to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Algeria.
“There is seldom research data available on Arab Americans in the United States. The proceedings in this medical journal attempt to bridge that gap and provide researchers in health and academic institutions with the knowledge to develop key programs for this minority group,” said Dr. Adnan Hammad, senior director of the ACCESS Community Health and Research Center (CHRC).
The conference convened 565 attendees, representing 15 countries and 13 states, including medical and scientific experts from the Middle East, United States, Europe, Africa and Australia. Participants shared data and knowledge in various areas of healthcare including mental health conditions, genetics, social and environmental factors, and chronic diseases affecting Arab Americans. Issues focused on public health interventions for preventing disease and providing quality healthcare; patient-centered home medical care as a model for improving access and quality of healthcare; and the impact of the changing political climate on public health issues in the Arab region.
“The conference tackled important global research topics, encouraged dialogue among regional health leaders, and paved the foundation for international partnerships,” Hammad continued. “These efforts set the stage for medical and public health experts to establish international and regional cooperation and stronger institutions to build a medical and public health sector that can overcome deep-seated regional challenges.”
Copies of the ACCESS Health Journal are available at the ACCESS Community Health and Research Center (CHRC), 6450 Maple St., Dearborn, MI. Copies are also available to download on the ACCESS website at www.accesscommunity.org.
For more information, contact Dr. Adnan Hammad at 313-624-0419, or email ahammad@accesscommunity.org.