Coalition Activities
Monmouth Cancer Coalition Begins Dialogue on Cultural Competency
The South Asian population in Monmouth County is discussed at the June Quarterly Meeting.
Dr. Naveen Mehrotra of the
Robert
Wood
Johnson
Medical
School in
New Brunswick was featured speaker at the
June 3, 2010 Quarterly Meeting of the Monmouth Cancer Coalition.
His presentation,
"South Asian Total Health Initiative (SATHI): Improving the Health, Well Being, and Quality of Life of the South Asian Community," brought insights into the cultural practices and health beliefs of this rapidly growing immigrant population.
Asians are the fastest growing population segment in the county and indeed in the state.
Dr. Mehrotra is co-director of SATHI and himself a practicing pediatrician.
South Asians now account for 2.3% of the
New Jersey population and 1.3% of the
Monmouth
County population.
In
Middlesex
County, where South Asians are most numerous, this segment numbers 46,000 and 5.8% of the population.
Dr. Mehrotra spoke about misconceptions surrounding the economic and educational status of South Asians in
New Jersey.
Health issues are clearly apparent and in need of attention.
Cultural norms inhibit patient/doctor communication in many respects, and differences between eastern and western medical practice may interfere with proper health care.
For more information about the South Asian Total Health Initiative, contact Dr. Naveen Mehrotra at www.rwjms.umdnj.edu/sathi or 732-235-8975.
Patricia H. Virga, Ph.D. is the Monmouth Cancer Coalition Coordinator. She also serves as Vice President for Consulting Services at New Solutions, Inc., New Brunswick, New Jersey
