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The Role of Family Social Networks in Cardiovascular Health Behaviors Among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders

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Abstract

Asian American, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations experience significant disparities in cardiovascular health. AANHPI populations also have strong, family-centered social relationships and networks. Since social networks may influence health behaviors, this review aimed to summarize research on the relationship between family social networks and cardiovascular health behaviors among AANHPI individuals. Current evidence suggests that family social network structures may play a particularly important role in smoking, dietary pattern, and physical activity behaviors among AANHPI individuals. Family networks may hinder or promote healthy behaviors through several social network mechanisms including social support, social influence, and social control. These effects vary across different AANHPI subgroups. Recommendations for future research on the role of social networks in health behaviors among AANHPI individuals are provided. Drawing on methodological advances and interventions that leverage social networks in AANHPI populations may be an avenue to improve health and reduce disparities.

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Funding

This work was supported by a Weinberg College Summer Research Grant from Northwestern University to ELL, and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute grant numbers F32HL149187 and K23HL157766 to NSS and K24HL155897 and R01HL132978 to NRK.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Emily L. Lam

  2. Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Emily L. Lam, Namratha R. Kandula & Nilay S. Shah

  3. Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Namratha R. Kandula & Nilay S. Shah

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  1. Emily L. Lam
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  2. Namratha R. Kandula
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  3. Nilay S. Shah
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All authors contributed to study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Emily L. Lam and Nilay S. Shah. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Emily L. Lam, and all authors provided comments on previous version of the manuscript for critical revision. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Nilay S. Shah.

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Lam, E.L., Kandula, N.R. & Shah, N.S. The Role of Family Social Networks in Cardiovascular Health Behaviors Among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 10, 2588–2599 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-022-01438-9

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