Using a Chinese Radio Station to Disseminate Dementia Knowledge to Chinese Americans

Volume 60, Issue 11, pages 2175–2176, November 2012

Using a Chinese Radio Station to Disseminate Dementia Knowledge to Chinese Americans

Benjamin K. P. Woo, M. D. 

Although Chinese Americans are one of the fastest-growing minority groups in the country, they are not well represented in studies of dementia. Prior literature has highlighted that Asian Americans with dementia are particularly vulnerable to the stigma of chronic and severe mental illnesses.[1] Previous research has also suggested that Chinese Americans are likely to underuse mental health services.[2] There is a paucity of research on the knowledge of the Chinese-American general public about dementia, particularly in first-generation Chinese Americans.

Using ethnic minority radio stations to disseminate medical information may be a viable option to decrease stigma against dementia of Chinese Americans because many may be primarily Chinese speaking with low levels of education. In the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, KMRB AM1430 is the only Cantonese station that broadcasts 24 hours a day. The program Rainbow Beneath the Sky broadcasts Monday through Friday from 7PM to 8PM. A psychiatrist fluent in Cantonese was asked to narrate the story of a Hong Kong Nobel Laureate, Charles Kao Kuen, who has had dementia. The program was aired on June 12, 2012, and the public was asked to call after the radio program to respond to a questionnaire. The survey consisted of three items about Chinese-Americans opinion about dementia. For each question, respondents were asked to answer yes or no in Chinese. Question 1 asked, “Is dementia a disease that affects the brain?” Question 2 asked, “Do all elderly adults develop dementia?” Question 3 asked, “Is dementia a mental illness?” The correct responses were yes, no, yes, respectively.

Twenty-two Chinese Americans participated in the survey. The sample consisted of 73% (n = 18) women, 36% (n = 8) with a high school degree or better, 45% (n = 10) with family history of dementia, and 59% (n = 13) who had immigrated to the United States more than 20 before. Seventy-seven percent (n = 17) were aged 40 to 64, and 23% (n = 5) were aged 65 and older. One hundred percent (n = 22), 64% (n = 14), and 14% (n = 3) responded with the correct answers for Questions 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

An ethnic radio program may be useful for Chinese Americans, especially for immigrants. Many of the respondents were primarily Chinese speaking, with low levels of education, so they were able to learn about mental health in their own language. As the survey identified, all Chinese Americans (100%) tend to view dementia as an illness that affects the brain. For example, one participant stated in Chinese, “Playing mah-jongg can eliminate dementia because it activates my brain!” but as Question 3 revealed, only 14% of Chinese Americans were able to conceptualize dementia as a mental disorder that can influence mood, thinking, and behavior. This is consistent with previous research that has showed that Asian Americans with dementia are particularly vulnerable to the stigma of chronic and severe mental illnesses.[1] Thus, it is critically important to develop culturally appropriate programs and services to ensure that Chinese Americans receive medical and mental health services for dementia when appropriate.

Forty-six percent of respondents believed that all elderly adults would have dementia. A previous study reported that, for Asian Americans, the aging mind and body as a machine is a culturally shaped metaphor that suggests the inevitability of deterioration.[3] The stereotype of dementia as part of normal aging may further delay Chinese Americans in seeking proper diagnostic evaluation and treatment. It is necessary to use ethnic media outlets to build public awareness against such stigma, as well as to highlight that successful aging is achievable.

In conclusion, from the program development perspective, we have the following recommendations to promote dementia awareness in ethnic minority: increase dementia information available in the Chinese language; raise public awareness through collaborating with media outlets, such as ethnic radio stations; present the medical background of dementia, and put a face on mental illness!

References

1. Liu D, Hinton L, Tran C et al. Reexamining the relationships among dementia, stigma, and aging in immigrant Chinese and Vietnamese family caregivers. J Cross Cult Gerontol 2008;23:283–299.
2. Woo BK, Lo TT. How often do Chinese Americans stay on treatment after transitioning from outpatient mental health to primary care setting? Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2011;33:e5–e6.
3. Hinton WL, Fox K, Levkoff S. Introduction: Exploring the relationships among aging, ethnicity, and family dementia caregiving. Cult Med Psychiatry 1999;23:403–413.