Abstract

Background: Addressing health disparities in the global community requires awareness of how cultural differences in beliefs, traditions, norms, and values shape health problems and behaviors.

Review: This paper reviews methods of assessing health behaviors, how these assessments may be affected by cross-cultural differences, and methods of adaptation of health behaviors across cultures. We describe the methods used in appropriate translation processes and pilot-testing for health behavior assessment tools. We also discuss ways to limit literacy demands and incorporate qualitative interviews.

Keywords: Cross-cultural comparison, health behaviors, outcomes assessments, evaluation methodology