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“When you walk in the rain, you get wet”: A Qualitative Study of Ghanaian Immigrants’ Perspective on the Epidemiological Paradox

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Abstract

This study sought to understand the perceptions of Ghanaian immigrants of the health status and health trajectory of their community. We conducted focus groups and interviews with 63 primarily Ghanaian immigrants living in New York City. Nearly all participants observed that Ghanaians are generally healthy when they arrive in the US, but that their health declines over time. Participants identified four causes of this perceived deterioration: changes in health behaviors, increased stress, environmental exposures, and barriers to health care. Participants see themselves as being at risk for many health problems resulting from changes in lifestyle that follow immigration. Although some vulnerabilities are unique to their experience as immigrants, many of the risk factors they described are the same as those that affect other residents in the communities in which they live.

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Acknowledgments

This publication was made possible by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, with additional support from Bronx Health REACH and the United Hospital Fund. Significant assistance was provided by the African Muslim Council, the African Services Committee, the National Council of Ghanaian Associations, the Highbridge Community Life Center, and Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center. The statements made and views expressed are solely the responsibility of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, Translational Science Building, 227 East 30th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Sue A. Kaplan

  2. African Life Center, New York, NY, USA

    Ramatu Ahmed

  3. New York City Department of Education, New York, NY, USA

    Adam Musah

Authors
  1. Sue A. Kaplan
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  2. Ramatu Ahmed
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  3. Adam Musah
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Correspondence to Sue A. Kaplan.

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Kaplan, S.A., Ahmed, R. & Musah, A. “When you walk in the rain, you get wet”: A Qualitative Study of Ghanaian Immigrants’ Perspective on the Epidemiological Paradox. J Immigrant Minority Health 17, 255–262 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9873-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9873-x

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