Improving Health Outcomes of Arab Americans

Arab Americans as an ethnic group are underrepresented in health research. This puts the health of the Arab American community at risk because rates on several diseases do not exist for this group. Research has found that many unique ethnic groups within the U.S. experience increased risks for certain diseases. This knowledge helps communities prevent disease by targeting the prevention of known risk factors.

These types of health statistics are not available for Arab Americans due to the fact that federal health data is not collected for Arab Americans as a unique ethnic group. However, preliminary data suggest higher rates of risk factors for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and irreversible kidney disease in Arab Americans than in the U.S. population as a whole. 

To address this deficit of health information the National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA) and the MedStar Research Institute (MRI) have joined together to develop an innovative program with the goal of improving health data and ultimately improved health within our community. This Fall NAAMA and MRI will conduct a survey of Arab Americans in order to obtain useful information about the general health of the community and the effect of acculturation on health status. The study consists of a 20-30 minute questionnaire in Arabic or English and asks for volunteers for a more in-depth study in the future.

You can be an important facilitator for gathering potentially life saving health data among people in our community. Won’t you help to give the blessing of good health? By participating in the Arab American Health Study program you can lead the community by encouraging others to take part in this study. If you are interested in participating or have questions please call Dr. Shara at 301-560-7315. Thank you for supporting the Arab American community of metro Washington, DC. 

Click here to take the Arab American Health Survey

Please note that the survey will take about 20-30 minutes to complete and is completely confidential.

Thank you for your support.