Paradigm shifters, professionals, and community sentinels: Immigrant community institutions’ roles in shaping places and implications for stigmatized public health initiatives

Abstract

Immigrant community institutions are strategically positioned to facilitate or impede public health efforts in their neighborhoods and communities because of their influence over discourse regarding values and tradition. Their authority may be particularly relevant when stigmatized or sensitive issues, such as HIV or reproductive health, are addressed. Using qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze data collected from 22 Chinese and South Asian immigrant institutions in New York City, we examine attitudes about HIV, social change and tradition to delineate the different structural roles that Asian immigrant community institutions play in relation to the preservation of traditional values and culture in their neighborhoods and communities. Implications are explored for working with immigrant community institutions to conduct HIV-related work and other stigmatized public health initiatives in immigrant neighborhoods.

Influences of Stigma and HIV Transmission Knowledge on Member Support for Faith-Placed HIV Initiatives in Chinese Immigrant Buddhist and Protestant Religious Institutions in New York City

“…The geographic and social positioning of Protestant churches and Buddhist temples uniquely position them to facilitate or impede HIV prevention and care initiatives particularly within immigrant enclaves (Chin, Neilands, Weiss, & Mantell, 2008; Kang, Chin, & Behar, 2011; Loue, Lane, Lloyd, & Loh, 1999). In the US, an estimated 9,054 Asians have been diagnosed with AIDS between 2008 and 2011 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013, February).…”

“…First, discourse about HIV generally addresses issues of sexual ethics that are not widely embraced in religious and immigrant communities (Chin et al, 2008). Moreover, theological tenets about homosexuality, pre-marital sexual behavior, and substance abuse often foster negative and exclusionary attitudes towards PLWHAs and those perceived to belong to HIV-risk groups (Kang et al, 2011).…”

“…Moreover it helps to inform potential means of mobilizing immigrant community institutions such as religious organizations to strategically address the challenges of HIV/AIDS prevention and care, and perhaps other stigmatized public health concerns that affect Chinese and other Asian immigrant communities (e.g. domestic violence, reproductive health, or substance abuse; Chin et al, 2008). …”

Community Interagency Connections for Immigrant Worker Health Interventions, King County, Washington State, 2012–2013

“…Chin and colleagues (16) suggest that the organization’s understanding of its roles in the community influences an FBO’s decisions to become involved in public health initiatives. FBOs that are more progressive in their view of social justice are more likely to collaborate on social or stigmatized issues such as workers’ rights and human immunodeficiency syndrome/AIDS programs (16). More research is needed to understand how to engage a broad range of FBOs in promoting immigrant worker health.…”

“…Agencies corresponded to diverse community sectors: Chinese service agencies, Chinese faith-based organizations (FBOs) (churches and temples), Pan-Asian service agencies, labor unions, pan-ethnic nonprofit agencies, and public (government) agencies. Historically, Chinese service and faith-based organizations have provided formal and informal support to Chinese immigrants (16,17). In comparison, other agencies and organizations have typically served a diverse range of clientele, including Chinese immigrants.…”