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ABSTRACT
Focused on the health literacy of two subgroups of Asian immigrants, Korean (N = 118) and Vietnamese (N = 105), this study examines the interrelationships among demographics, health literacy, self-perceived health status, and quality of life using structural equation modeling. Findings suggest that, although often labeled as Asian immigrants as an aggregate in the health literature, immigrants from Korea and Vietnam report significant differences in areas of demographics (age, citizenship, time in the US, education, marital status, English proficiency, and health insurance), utilization of health services (mammogram screening, pap smear, colorectal screening, visit to doctors), health literacy, and self-perceived health status, representing their own unique ethnic and immigration status. As hypothesized, for both Korean and Vietnamese immigrants, demographics (especially English proficiency) influence health literacy, which in turn affects self-perceived health status and quality of life. Self-perceived health status also directly affects quality of life. Therefore, health communication and interventions should focus on improving health literacy and alleviating health literacy disparities, which could increase the well-being and QOL among subgroups of Asian immigrants.