Ethno-cultural Preferences in Receipt of Heart Health Information.

OBJECTIVE: We attempted to understand how people of South Asian and Chinese descent prefer to receive health information.

METHODS: To achieve this end we conducted a search of academic and grey literature articles published between 1946 and 2016. To be included, articles had to be focused South Asian and Chinese specific ethno-culturally-based preferences of receiving health information.

RESULTS: A total of 3478 abstracts were retrieved, of which, 27 articles met the inclusion criteria. We were able to identify South Asian and Chinese people's preferences for and facilitators of receiving health information. South Asians and Chinese preferred health information and programs that were more culturally relevant and appealing, had translations into South Asian and Chinese languages, and used simple terms as opposed to technical jargon.

CONCLUSIONS: There is little direction regarding for how to tai- lor health information South Asian and Chinese ethno-cultural groups. Having evidence-based information about how South Asians and Chinese prefer to receive health information has potential to enhance patients' learning and health literacy, improve clinical outcomes, and reduce health disparities.