Abstract
Understanding the health of American Muslims remains a neglected topic in public health research with even fewer empirical studies conducted with American Muslim women. To address persistent knowledge gaps related to the health behaviors and health outcomes of this population, in 2015, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Public Health (SOPH) funded the Muslim Women's Health Project (MWHP) through its Back of the Envelope (BOTE) mechanism. The purpose of the MWHP was to collect exploratory, self-reported data on health indicators, beliefs, behaviors, and experiences from American Muslim women through online social networks. In this chapter, the authors summarize published findings from the MWHP that may serve as case studies to inform further discussions among health practitioners and public health researchers who seek to improve population health through healthcare delivery and equity research.
TopBackground
Previous health disparity and equity research has examined numerous health outcomes among racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States. A study conducted by Karlsen and Nazroo (2002) found that racism (experienced or perceived) among ethnic minorities was associated with negative health outcomes; experienced assault had a positive association with cardiovascular disease and psychological distress (Karlsen & Nazroo, 2002). Frost, Lehavot, and Meyer (2015) found a general negative impact of minority stressors, such as self-reported every day discrimination, on physical health among sexual minorities. Previous studies have typically grouped individuals by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, assuming that relevant health-related beliefs, social experiences, and cultures are mostly reflected by these categories (Aspinall & Chinouya, 2008; Karlsen & Nazroo, 2010; Nazroo & Karlsen, 2001).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Contraception: A method to prevent pregnancy, often taken in the form of pills, vaginal rings, patches, or shots.
Depression: A mood disorder that can impact an individual’s daily life.
Healthy Migrant Effect: A phenomenon that asserts foreign-born individuals are healthier and more resilient than their American-born counterparts.
Cardiovascular Disease: A group of noncommunicable disorders related to the heart and blood vessels, often caused by risk factors such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and alcohol use.
Minority: A group of individuals who experience disparities compared to members of a more dominant social group.
Stigma: The process in which a group is labeled as socially undesirable and devalued due to certain attributes and behaviors.
Islam: The religious faith of Muslims, centered around the belief in Allah as the sole deity and in Muhammad as the Prophet of Allah.
Reproductive Health: A group of diseases, disorders, or conditions related to a female or male reproductive system.
Heightened Vigilance: The state in which an individual prepares for experiences of stigma.