Study Exposes Health Problems Of Silicon Valley's Vietnamese Americans

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - There are new concerns about the health of Vietnamese Americans living in Silicon Valley, following the release Monday of a first of its kind health survey that outlined the disparities in health care for that community.

The 114-page health survey was described as groundbreaking and applauded by health officials. The report found that Vietnamese Americans in Santa Clara County suffer from higher rates of tuberculosis, heart disease and cancer than most other ethnic groups. Liver cancer deaths were especially concerning, coming in at four times higher than the rest of the population. All of this is exacerbated by a lack of health insurance.

"More than 1 in 4 Vietnamese adults has no health care coverage so again, very, very significant," warned Santa Clara County Health Officer Martin Fenstersheib, M.D., M.P.H.

Language is considered a huge barrier to health care access.

KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:

Another starting statistic brought to light in the report: 40% of the Vietnamese population reported mental health issues, though just 10% sought help.

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