Useful Resources

Asian Americans: A Health Snapshot

October 2, 2008

Cancer is the leading cause of death for Asian Americans, though heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans in general. Asian Americans also have a disproportionately high incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, liver disease, and tuberculosis. They are more likely to smoke, a risk factor for numerous diseases. Despite these factors, Asian American women have the longest life expectancy (85.8 years) of any ethnic group in the United States. Many Asian Americans face language and cultural barriers to obtaining health care. Asian Americans comprise 3.6 percent of the U.S. population but are likely to comprise 9.3 percent by 2050. The states with the greatest concentration of Asian Americans are Hawaii, California, Washington, New Jersey and New York.

Understanding the Issue
Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities (OMHD)

The goal of this branch of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is to eliminate health disparities.

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The Commonwealth Fund

Asian Americans’ reports of their health care experiences, published in 2004.

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Statistics, Trends and Research
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Health Characteristics of the Asian Adult Population, 2004-2006

This report released in 2008 compares estimates for health status indicators, health behaviors, health-care utilization, health conditions, immunizations, and HIV-testing status among non-Hispanic Asian adult subgroups and other ethnicities.

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Office of Minority Health

Basic health profile of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders.

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Asian American Health Initiative

Statistics and trends behind Asian health disparities, language barriers, access to health care.

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Public Policy
Penn Asian Health Initiatives

Associated with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Public Health Initiatives, the Asian Health Initiatives strives to integrate research with community involvement.

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Asian Health Care Leaders Association

Organization aimed at increasing Asian-American participation in health care management, policy and administration.

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Advocacy
National Council of Asian Pacific Americans

A coalition of Asian American and Pacific Islander groups that is active in immigration reform and other issues affecting their constituents.

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Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations

An assembly of community health organizations promotes advocacy and collaboration to improve the health status of Asian Americans, as well as Pacific Islanders and native Hawaiians.

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Asian American Diabetes Initiative

Research, education, and outreach for Asian Americans living with diabetes.

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AIDS Services in Asian Communities

Philadelphia nonprofit provides HIV/AIDS-related services to Asian Americans.

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Guidance for Consumers
CHAMPS Resource Guide (HIV/AIDS)

Medical provider guide for creating HIV/AIDS programs for Asians in community health centers.

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Steps to Manage Your Diabetes

Link to patient brochure describing disease, prevention, self-management.

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American Cancer Society

Asian-language materials focus on cancer, with links to other Web sites providing materials in Asian languages on other diseases.

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South Asian Health Initiative

Sponsored by the New York University School of Medicine, the Community Tuberculosis Prevention Program page features statistics and a PDF brochure with more information, as well as prevention/treatment information.

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Blogs
Asian Health Guide

Blog links Asian medicine/wellness practices to public health applications (e.g., treating obesity with acupuncture, reducing drug costs for chronic pain through acupuncture and alternative medicine, among others).

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Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative

Blog for an Illinois-based organization fights against suicide by Asian Americans.

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