The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and understand the perception of health and health promoting behaviors of Mexican men living in central Minnesota.  Despite their increasing numbers, little research has been conducted related to the Mexican subgroup of the US Hispanic population as well as little information is available specific to the Mexican male perspectives on health.

            Two focus groups and six individual interviews were conducted with Mexican born men living in central Minnesota. Research questions addressed in this study were: a) How do Mexican men think about and describe their health? b) How do they describe their efforts to promote their health? and c) What meaning does health and health promotion activities have for them in their lives?  The transcripts were translated and transcribed verbatim and then analyzed according to the methodologies of Miles and Huberman as well as Van Manen.

            Six themes were identified that reflected the men’s perception of health and health promoting behaviors: a) Good health is most important, b) Self care, c) US Health Care: An obstacle to maintaining one’s health, d) Health is being able to meet role expectations e) Home remedies are the first option in restoring health and f) Women as health advisors.

The results of this study increases our understanding of health and health promotion practices of Mexican men. The culturally specific knowledge gained from this study will assist health care professionals, policy makers, and health care organizations to be more informed as to culturally congruent interventions, health promotion activities, and disease prevention strategies for Mexican men and their families.