A COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS OF CHRONIC DISEASE PREVALENCE AMONG OLDER KOREANS AND NON-HISPANIC WHITES

This article presents a comparative analysis of chronic disease preval ence among older Koreans and non-Hispanic whites residing in Los Angel es County. The authors conducted a multivariate analysis that explores the impact of socioeconomic status, other sociodemographic variables, and social isolation on disease prevalence. The results reveal that w hile older Koreans have a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease and diabetes, older non-Hispanic whites are disadvantaged for stroke a nd cancer. Furthermore, socioeconomic status indicators do not elimina te ethnic differences in disease in any substantial way. Health preven tion and promotion intervention should consider the effect that Korean health practices may have on disease, as well as the role that cultur al values, beliefs, and attitudes may have on the management of chroni c disease and prevention efforts among the Korean population.