Data and research are important tools in helping assure access to quality primary and preventive services, especially for communities of color and indigenous peoples. A critical need exists for more data and research on the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. The heterogeneity in languages and cultures, differing cultural beliefs and approaches towards health all contribute to misperceptions about the community and its health and health care needs.

On April 30 – May 1, 2007, a diverse group of researchers, advocates, health professionals, public health officials, community members, and other leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., for the first Health Brain Trust on Data & Research (“Health Brain Trust”). The Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) Health Brain Trust is an annual meeting of selected individuals, organized around a particular topic of interest to Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHOPI) stakeholders.

This report appraises the health status of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA & NHPI) youth in the San Francisco Bay Area by identifying some critical health care concerns, programmatic and policy issues that affect the health needs of these youth.