The relationship between acculturation and health behavior change is complex. Little research has focused on acculturation and perceptions of health-related risks. This study investigated acculturation and risk perceptions of heart attack and lung cancer among a group of refugees. Questionnaires were distributed to a sample of Bosnian refugees living in the United States (N = 55). Results indicated that smokers thought they were less at risk than other smokers and no more at risk than non-smokers, whereas non-smokers did not think they were less at risk than other non-smokers. Greater acculturation was associated with greater perception of smokers’ risk of heart attack and lung cancer. Smoking cessation interventions with refugees should incorporate culturally appropriate risk information.

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Helweg-Larsen, Marie, and Lucia M. Stancioff. Acculturation Matters: Risk Perceptions of Smoking among Bosnian Refugees Living in the United States. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10, no. 5 (2008): 423-428. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10903-007-9107-1

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