WASHINGTON – Today, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) released its report titled Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Networks for Community Health in the Age of COVID-19: Results of a National Survey of Community-Based Organizations. Building upon our April 2020 publication , the Report surveys 80 community partners in APIAHF’s national network that are serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA NH/PI) populations, the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the country, and outlines priorities, challenges and needs going forward.
Juliet K. Choi, APIAHF president and CEO, gave the following statement:
“The 2021 Report highlights the essential and inspiring work our community partners have achieved in spite of the devasting consequences and hardships from COVID-19. Community organizations are absolutely vital to ensuring the health, safety and well-being of our AA NH/PI communities. Always have been, always will.
“Our community partners serve as trusted advocates, navigators, translators, consolers, counselors and leaders. Sadly, many of these dedicated organizations operate crucial programs without dedicated, flexible and sustained funding to meet the unmet or unpredictable needs of our communities. This lack of funding is even more apparent when our community partners respond to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic or when tackling institutionalized barriers which exasperate deep-rooted health and healthcare challenges.
“Through this report, our hope and expectation is that funders, elected officials and government agencies will support and invest in the success of our robustly diverse community partners by recognizing, addressing and prioritizing their needs.”
Key Priorities for Addressing COVID-19 Going Forward:
- Mental health programming
- Assistance accessing public benefits (healthcare, food, housing support)
- Support addressing racism & discrimination
- Interpretation & translation
- COVID-19 materials in languages other than English that are culturally appropriate.
The full report can be found here. APIAHF resources on COVID-19 can be found here.
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The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) influences policy, mobilizes communities and strengthens programs and organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.