Southeast Asian Genetics Program records, 1984-1991

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Summary

Title:

Southeast Asian Genetics Program records

Dates:

1984-1991

Creators:

California College of Medicine

Abstract:

This collection comprises records produced by the Southeast Asian Genetics Program (SEAGEP), including correspondence and manuscripts, grant applications, research data regarding birth defects and genetic blood disorders, literature on Southeast Asian and Cham communities, SEAGEP publications, and video productions by SEAGEP and other health organizations. SEAGEP publications and video productions include multilingual versions. Literature concerning the Cham (a Muslim ethnic group from Vietnam and Cambodia) relates to an article published by Dr. Kenneth Dumars and Chantan S. Chea, "The Cham: A Population Isolate."

Extent:

2.6 Linear Feet (3 boxes) and 1 digitized image

Language:

English .

Preferred citation:

Southeast Asian Genetics Program records. MS-SEA017. Southeast Asian Archive, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

Biographical / historical:

In 1984 the Southeast Asian Genetics Program (SEAGEP) was established to identify services for Southeast Asian communities concerning birth defects and developmental disabilities, and conduct community and cross-cultural education. It was a four-year program funded by the Federal Bureau of Maternal and Child Health (MCH), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. SEAGEP existed longer than its original grant cycle due to the continued support of MCH and other organizations. SEAGEP was directed by Kenneth W. Dumars and coordinated and administered by faculty and staff from the Division of Development Disabilities and Clinical Genetics, a University Affiliated Program at University of California, Irvine.

At the time of SEAGEP's establishment, the growing Southeast Asian communities consisted predominately of refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and members of the Cham ethnic group. Many of these groups resettled in Orange and south Los Angeles counties.

A persistent language and cultural barrier between Western-educated medical practitioners and their Southeast Asian patients became apparent. Western practitioners also had little information regarding the cultures and medical histories of Southeast Asian populations. Therefore, SEAGEP worked with Southeast Asian communities as well as the practitioners who would be serving these communities through seminars, bilingual literature, cooperative efforts with other public health organizations, and the production of a video, Southeast Asia: The Land, The People, and The Culture. SEAGEP also collected much-needed data and conducted intensive research regarding thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder common to the Mediterranean and Asian regions, and other prevalent genetic blood disorders.

As reflected in a pamphlet printed in 1987, SEAGEP more specifically sought to achieve the following goals:

Identify specific needs and concerns of members of the SEA communities regarding birth defects, development disabilities, and inherited disorders.
Increase education and awareness in the SEA communities regarding the availability and appropriate use of medical services.
Investigate the incidence and prevalence of specific inherited disorders within SEA communities.
Provide SEA medical services to SEA families affected with a congenital or inherited condition.
Increase the use of available community resources by SEA families.
Educate those who provide medical and counseling services to SEA cultures.

By 1991, SEAGEP had dissolved due to lack of grant funding.

Acquisition information:

Gift of Dr. Kenneth W. Dumars, director of the SEAGEP, 1998.

Processing information:

Processed by Anna Liza Posas in 2002. Processing was supported by a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the California State Library.

Arrangement:

The collection materials are aranged alphabetically by document type, then filed topically. Except as noted, contents of folders are arranged chronologically. Audiovisual materials are arranged by format (VHS and U-matic) ,and then alphabetically by title.

Physical location:

University of California, Irvine. Library. Special Collections and Archives. Irvine, California 92623-9557.

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Refugees -- Vietnam -- Archives
Refugees -- California -- Orange County -- Archives.
Vietnamese Americans -- California -- Archives
Traditional medicine -- History -- Sources
Abnormalities, Human.
Cham (Southeast Asian people) -- Archives.
Refugees -- California -- Los Angeles -- Archives
Refugees -- Cambodia -- Archives
Thalassemia -- Sources
Refugee camps -- Southeast Asia -- History -- Sources
Medical research personnel.
Health care personnel.
Video recordings -- 20th century.
Names:: University of California, Irvine. Southeast Asian Genetics Program -- Archives
Places:: Asia, Southeastern -- Emigration and immigration.
California, Southern -- Emigration and immigration

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:: Processed by Anna Liza Posas, 2003.
Date Encoded:: This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2020-09-17 23:40:28 UTC .

Access and use

Restrictions:: Collection open for research.
Terms of access:: Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Southeast Asian Archive Librarian.