PhD Candidate Lei Yang was invited to give a guest lecture at the School of Journalism at Fudan University (Shanghai, China). During the lecture, which took place at the end of December 2018, Lei presented two of her papers on health communication issues among Chinese Hui minority people in Shenyang (China).
Chinese Hui Muslims comprise the third largest minority population in China. They are also widely distributed throughout the country. Hui Muslims have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) than other ethnic groups, meaning that the availability of health information relating to these factors is important. They do, however, experience difficulties in obtaining health-related information because of their vulnerable societal position. Media are as important for them as they are for other minorities, because mediated information can bridge information gaps in multicultural societies.
Chinese Urban Hui Muslims’ Access to and Evaluation of Cardiovascular Diseases-Related Health Information from Different Sources
The first paper Lei presented is titled "Chinese Urban Hui Muslims’ Access to and Evaluation of Cardiovascular Diseases-Related Health Information from Different Sources". This research aims to identify the sources that urban Hui Muslims access to get health information related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and how they evaluate the information from different sources. The data was gathered by means of an online survey administered on mobile devices.
To put the answers given by Hui Muslims into perspective and make a comparison between Hui Muslims and the Han people, Lei also gathered information from Han—the dominant group in China. The results showed that Chinese Hui Muslims mostly used mediated sources, while Han people mainly used interpersonal sources. Both Hui Muslims and Han people trusted and preferred health information about cardiovascular diseases provided by health organizations, doctors, and healthcare providers. The information given by religious leaders was trusted the least, although Hui Muslims were significantly more positive about religious authority than the Han people. The current results are relevant for Chinese health information promoters and can help them diffuse CVD health information more effectively to urban Hui Muslims.
Chinese Hui Minority People’s Needs in Obtaining Health Information About Cardiovascular Diseases
The second paper that was discuss is titled "Chinese Hui Minority People’s Needs in Obtaining Health Information About Cardiovascular Diseases." This research aims to identify the needs of Hui Muslims when it comes to information about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and how they obtain it from media and other sources. Six focus groups were conducted in Shenyang City. The results revealed that the respondents relied on different sources to get advice about CVDs, but the internet and television were the most prominent. The participants expressed a desire for credible and professional information about from different sources and said there should be mediated health-communication programs specifically targeted at Hui Muslims. In addition, the participants felt ignored by the mainstream media and society at large, which placed obstacles in the way of them getting health information.
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For more information about Lei Yang's research, please visit her PhD project page.