Asian Fortune Your source for all things Asian American
By Josephine Liang
Experts say it’s never too late to reap the benefits of exercise. A recent research study titled “Impact of an Asian Community Bone Health Initiative: A Community-Based Exercise Program in New York City,” presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, follows an exercise program offered in New York City. The program, offered by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) has helped decrease pain, improve mobility and enhance the overall health of many older Asian American adults.
This program, named Asian Community Bone Health Initiative, comprised of education and exercise classes that are culturally relevant and bilingual. The initiative plays an important role in enabling the hospital to meet the musculoskeletal health needs of Asian older adults living in New York City, according to Sandra Goldsmith, MA, MS, RD, director of Public and Patient Education.
The Asian American population in the DC region has increased by 60% from 2000 to 2011, and the senior adults contribute to more than 6% of this growth. “This population is at risk for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis,” said Laura Robbins, DSW, senior vice president of Education and Academic Affairs at HSS. “They are more than twice as likely to have no health insurance coverage compared to other major race and ethnic groups. Cultural and linguistic barriers limit access to healthcare services.”
Similar programs are provided by different organizations in the D.C. area. For example, Sibley Memorial Hospital provides senior exercise classes like low-impact aerobics, Hatha yoga, and Tai Chi Chung. Silver Sneakers, a popular program at the YMCA exclusively designed for older adults, has certified instructors who focus on improving participants’ physical health year round. However, there is still much demand for senior care programs that cater to the older Asian population, especially instructors who can break language and cultural barriers.
“Getting seniors to be active in any way will generally improve their quality of life and help them function better in their everyday activities,” said Linda Russell, MD, a rheumatologist and chair of the Public and Patient Education Advisory Committee at Hospital for Special Surgery. “People believe that if you have arthritis you shouldn’t exercise, but appropriate exercises actually help decrease pain.”
According to the report, the majority of the participants are female and over 65 years old. 48% fewer participants had pain on a daily basis, 68% more participants could climb several flights of stairs, 83% participants could bend kneel, or stoop, and 50% participants could lift or carry groceries. These statistics show how such programs could improve the life quality of older Asian Americans, allowing them to live healthily and independently; this is important since around 22% of Asian women live alone in the United States.
“The study results indicate that the hospital’s Bone Health Initiative has a positive impact on the musculoskeletal health of the Asian senior population,” said Huijuan Huang, MPA, program coordinator. “While further research is needed, HSS will continue to offer culturally-sensitive programs to this community to help seniors stay active, decrease pain and improve their overall health.” Hopefully, such exercise programs would be available in the DC area soon.
Asian Fortune is an English language newspaper for Asian American professionals in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Visit fb.com/asianfortune to stay up to date with our news and what’s going on in the Asian American community.
