Asian American Diversity and Representation in the Health Care Workforce, 2007 to 2022
Asian American individuals comprise over 40 ethnoracial groups but are regularly aggregated into 1 category within health workforce analysis, thus obscuring substantial inequities in representation. To describe trends in Asian American diversity across the 4 most populous US health professions (physicians, registered nurses, nursing assistants, and home health aides) and to characterize subgroup representation within professions. Serial cross-sectional study from American Community Survey (ACS) population estimates of people reporting health profession occupations from 2007 to 2022. The ACS samples US residents every day, with approximately 3.5 million surveyed each year. Based on their sampling methods, the ACS then produces estimates of the entire US population for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year periods. Data were analyzed from April to August 2024. For each year and subgroup, the proportions of the US population, the profession, and Asian American individuals within the profession were calculated. The representation quotient (RQ) of each subgroup was then calculated, defined as the proportion of the subgroup within the profession of interest divided by the proportion of the subgroup within the US population. Trends were examined over the 15-year period. Over the 15-year period, Indian Americans composed the largest percentage of Asian American physicians (mean [SD], 40.6% [1.6%]), followed by Chinese Americans (mean [SD], 18.9% [1.4%]). Pakistani and Indian Americans had the highest relative representation (mean [SD] RQ, 8.9 [0.9] and 7.8 [0.9], respectively). Conversely, Cambodian and Hmong Americans remained largely underrepresented (mean [SD] RQ, 0.2 [0.2] for both). Filipinx Americans accounted for more than half of Asian American registered nurses and nursing assistants, with high relative representation (mean [SD] RQ, 5.6 (0.3) and 2.9 [0.4], respectively). Bangladeshi and Chinese American relative representation were high among home health aides (mean [SD] RQ, 4.1 [1.5] and 2.7 [0.5], respectively). Asian American individuals accounted for an estimated 22% of physicians (approximately 260 693 respondents), 10% of registered nurses (approximately 420 418 respondents), 4.8% of nursing assistants (approximately 93 913 respondents), and 8.3% of home health aides (approximately 60 968 respondents) in 2022. By examining disaggregated data, this study found persistent inequities among Asian American subgroups in the health workforce. Reducing Asian American populations to a single racialized group erases subgroup differences rooted in histories of racism, colonialism, and xenophobia; enables false narratives of Asian American overrepresentation and success; and hampers progress in advancing health justice.
- Research Article
245
- 10.1161/cir.0b013e3181f22af4
- Aug 23, 2010
- Circulation
In 2009, President Obama signed an Executive Order calling for strategies to improve the health of Asian Americans and to seek data on the health disparities in Asian American subgroups.1 Data on Asian American subgroups are scarce and many health disparities remain unknown. The purpose of this Advisory is to highlight the gaps in existing research on cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Asian Americans, and to serve as a call to action on behalf of the American Heart Association to address these areas of need. Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the United States, representing 25% of all foreign-born people in the United States.2 They are projected to reach nearly 34 million by 2050.3 Several major Federal surveys (eg, the American Community Survey, the National Health Interview Survey, and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey) only recently started to classify Asian Americans into 7 subgroups: Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Other Asian. The first six of these subgroups together constitute >90% of Asian Americans in the United States.4 Although some data are available on Asian subgroups from these major federal surveys, in general, these data are not available for public use because of the privacy concerns resulting from the small sample sizes within subgroups. This situation limits their utility for health-related research. Because health surveys and questionnaires almost universally combine persons of Asian ancestry into a single group, the heterogeneity within this classification is masked. Socioeconomic and cultural factors have been found to be associated with CVD and its risk factors, which is why it is important to understand these differences among Asian subgroups. The Table shows the number of persons in each group based on the most recent US Census data available (American Community Survey, 2008), with the recognition that …
- Research Article
- 10.1158/1538-7755.disp24-a069
- Sep 21, 2024
- Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
Background: Asian American and Pacific Islander races are two distinct groups that continue to be aggregated in many large, national mortality statistics in the United States (US), which leads to structural biases encoded into databases and inaccurate health implications that may deprive Pacific Islander individuals from opportunities for interventions aimed at reducing health disparities. Examining mortality rates for disaggregated Asian American and Pacific Islander populations across all 50 states was not possible until 2018. We compared the leading causes of death between Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals in the US during 2018-2020, stratified by sex and age. Methods: Cause of death among non-Hispanic Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals aged ≥20 years who died during 2018-2020 were obtained from the US National Center for Health Statistics. Age-standardized all-cause mortality rates (MRs) and the 5 leading causes of death were reported per 100,000 person-years separately for Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals, by sex (female/male) and age (20-54/55-64/65-74/75- 84 years). MR ratios (MRRs) were calculated by comparing MRs among Pacific Islander with Asian American individuals (reference group), by sex and age. Results: During 2018-2020, 63,338 female and 85,601 male deaths occurred among Asian American adults, and 4,116 female and 5,512 male deaths occurred among Pacific Islander adults. Compared to Asian American individuals, all-cause mortality was higher for Pacific Islander females (MRR=2.50,95%CI=2.43-2.59) and males (MRR=2.10,95%CI=2.04-2.16). Cancer was the leading cause of death for Asian American (MR=93.8) and Pacific Islander females (MR=181.6) and second for Asian American (MR=100.4) and Pacific Islander males (MR=185.2) after heart disease. Death rates for leading causes were substantially higher for Pacific Islander compared to Asian American females: cancer (MRR=1.93,95%CI=1.82-2.06), heart disease (MRR=3.18,95%CI=2.95-3.42), stroke (MRR=2.41,95%CI=2.13-2.73), diabetes (MRR=4.03,95%CI=3.55-4.56), and COVID-19 (MRR=2.60,95%CI=2.25-3.01) and for Pacific Islander compared to Asian American males: heart disease (MRR=2.56,95%CI=2.42-2.71), cancer (MRR=1.52,95%CI=1.42-1.62, diabetes (MRR=3.14,95%CI=2.81-3.50), accidental death (MRR=2.60,95%CI=2.33-2.88), and COVID-19 (MRR=2.04,95%CI=1.82-2.27). The largest relative cancer mortality rate disparity occurred in those aged 20-54 years and declined with older age among women (MRR range=1.37-2.67) and men (MRR range=1.16-2.26). Conclusion: Cancer was among the leading cause of death for both Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals, but cancer mortality rates were twice as high among Pacific Islander women and men compared to Asian American women and men. These disparities persisted among Pacific Islander individuals for nearly all leading causes of death, regardless of sex and age, underscoring the need to disaggregate Pacific Islander from Asian American race data to improve tailored health equity-focused interventions. Citation Format: Jacqueline B. Vo, Jazmyn L Bess, Kekoa Taparra, Paloma R. Mitra, Amy Berrington de Gonzalez, Neal D. Freedman, Meredith S. Shiels, Jaimie Z. Shing. Leading causes of death among Asian American individuals compared with Pacific Islander individuals in the United States, 2018-2020 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A069.
- Research Article
6
- 10.3390/educsci13090903
- Sep 6, 2023
- Education Sciences
Anti-Asian scapegoating, sentiment, and hate have caused devastating psychological and behavioral challenges among Asians and Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. This case study aims to understand Asians’ and Asian Americans’ experiences of racial discrimination during the pandemic, examine their reflections on the impacts of anti-Asian racism on their emotions and coping, and explore their perspectives on teaching Asian American history in combating anti-Asian racism. The results of this study showed that the participants articulated an array of profound emotional challenges in response to the deleterious effects of personal and vicarious experiences of racism. They used varied coping strategies, exhibiting heightened vigilance and intentional proactive measures to protect themselves and their communities against anti-Asian racism. The participants also underscored the intersectionality between race and gender, highlighting the vulnerability of Asian women. Additionally, the participants advocated for the inclusion of Asian American history in the school curriculum to dismantle and disrupt systematic racism. This study reveals the emotional and behavioral effects of anti-Asian racism on Asian and Asian American individuals and communities. It illustrates the crucial role of amplifying Asian and Asian American voices in the school curriculum in combating anti-Asian racism beyond the pandemic.
- Research Article
3
- 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.14248
- Jun 6, 2025
- JAMA Network Open
Interactions between race and county-level factors associated with mortality, such as employment, education, income, and population density, are understudied among Asian American and Pacific Islander populations. To compare all-cause, cancer, and heart disease mortality rates between Pacific Islander and Asian American adults across county-level factors. This cross-sectional study examined National Center for Health Statistics death certificate data on non-Hispanic Asian American and Pacific Islander adults (aged 20-84 years) between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020. County-level socioeconomic data were obtained from the American Community Survey, and population density was determined using Rural-Urban Continuum Codes. Analyses were conducted between August 1, 2023, and September 4, 2024. County-level unemployment, educational attainment, median household income, and population density. Age-standardized all-cause, cancer, and heart disease mortality rates and mortality rate ratios (MRRs), comparing Pacific Islander with Asian American individuals by sex and age. Interactions between race and county-level factors associated with MRRs were evaluated using P value for trend across county-level factors. During 2018 to 2020, 43 221 696 Asian American and 1 281 221 Pacific Islander adults resided in the US. A total of 148 939 Asian American individuals (16.7% aged 20-54 years, 17.2% aged 55-64 years, and 66.1% aged ≥65 years; 57.5% male) and 9628 Pacific Islander individuals (29.9% aged 20-54 years, 23.0% aged 55-64 years, and 47.1% aged ≥65 years; 57.2% male) died of any cause. Across all county-level factors, Pacific Islander adults had elevated all-cause, cancer, and heart disease mortality rates compared with Asian American adults (female: MRR range from 1.82 [95% CI, 1.67-1.98] for population <250 000 to 2.93 [95% CI, 2.73-3.14] for lowest unemployment tertile; male: MRR range from 1.64 [95% CI, 1.50-1.78] for lowest income tertile to 2.47 [95% CI, 2.31-2.63] for lowest unemployment tertile). Across all county-level factors, the largest relative all-cause mortality differences between Pacific Islander and Asian American adults occurred in counties with the lowest unemployment (female: MRR, 2.93 [95% CI, 2.73-3.14]; male: MRR, 2.47 [95% CI, 2.31-2.63]), highest educational attainment (female: MRR, 2.71 [95% CI, 2.53-2.90]; male: MRR, 2.39 [95% CI, 2.25-2.54]), highest median household income (female: MRR, 2.67 [95% CI, 2.56-2.79]; male: MRR, 2.25 [95% CI, 2.17-2.33]), and highest population density (female: MRR, 2.79 [95% CI, 2.67-2.92]; male: MRR, 2.37 [95% CI, 2.28-2.47]). No trends in relative cancer mortality differences between Pacific Islander and Asian American adults across county-level factors were observed overall except for greater population density among women (<250 000 population: MRR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.25-1.76; >1 000 000 population, 2.13 [95% CI, 1.95-2.32]). The largest heart disease MRRs for Pacific Islander compared with Asian American individuals occurred among those younger than 65 years, with the greatest relative mortality among those aged 20 to 54 years in counties with the lowest unemployment (female: MRR, 14.21 [95% CI, 9.89-20.04]; male: MRR, 5.75 [95% CI, 4.58-7.15]) and highest educational attainment (female: MRR, 13.69 [95% CI, 9.68-18.94]; male: MRR, 6.17 [95% CI, 5.00-7.54]), median household income (female: MRR, 11.97 [95% CI, 9.55-14.91]; male: MRR, 5.16 [95% CI, 4.49-5.91]), and population density (female: MRR, 11.77 [95% CI, 9.39-14.62]; male: MRR, 5.48 [95% CI, 4.76-6.29]). In this cross-sectional study, all-cause mortality disparities between Asian American and Pacific Islander populations worsened in counties with higher socioeconomic status and greater population density. Historical aggregation of Pacific Islander with Asian American individuals may have misled health improvement efforts, especially for Pacific Islander adults who lived in high socioeconomic and more populated areas.
- Research Article
- 10.32872/spb.15377
- Feb 24, 2026
- Social Psychological Bulletin
Asians and Asian Americans have experienced increased discrimination due to COVID-19. Building on the rejection-identification model (RIM; Branscombe et al., 1999) and the rejection-disidentification model (RDIM; Jasinskaja-Lahti et al., 2009), we sought to examine how COVID-19 discrimination has impacted Asian Americans’ identities and well-being. Asian and Asian American individuals currently residing in the United States were recruited to participate in our study. The relations between perceived COVID-19 discrimination, identification, and well-being were examined correlationally (Study 1) and experimentally (Studies 2 and 3). Across 3 studies, COVID-19 discrimination is associated with increased levels of anxiety and stress but decreased identification with being American. At the same time, perceived discrimination was unrelated to participants’ Asian (Study 1, 2, and 3) and specific ethnic (Study 3) identities. In Study 2, we experimentally demonstrated that reading about the negative impact of COVID-19 on Asian Americans interacted with perceived discrimination to decrease the extent to which participants identified as American, which has implications for anxiety and stress. Results from Study 2 supported the RDIM predictions and was replicated in a US-born sample in Study 3. Our studies suggest that Asian and Asian Americans’ well-being is harmed through the decrease of a positive identity (i.e., being an American) without the compensation of another positive identity (i.e., being Asian or being a specific ethnicity) to protect them from the negative impactive of COVID-19 discrimination. Thus, Asian Americans need support now more than ever.
- Research Article
18
- 10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.5657
- Jan 26, 2022
- JAMA Dermatology
Asian American individuals are the fastest growing racial group in the US but remain underrepresented in health disparities research, including research on skin cancer risk factors and screening. Improved understanding of preventable skin cancer risk factors and screening may demonstrate unmet needs among Asian American individuals. To examine sunburns, sun-protective behaviors, indoor tanning, and total body skin examinations (TBSEs) for skin cancer screening among Asian American subgroups compared with non-Hispanic White individuals. The National Health Interview Survey is a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in the US that assesses health behaviors. Self-identified Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, non-Hispanic White, and other Asian respondents from survey years 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015 were included. Data were analyzed from July to November 2021. Any sunburn within the last year; sun-protective behaviors included applying sunscreen, staying under shade, wearing long-sleeved shirts, wearing long clothing to the ankles, wearing hats, and wearing caps most of the time or always when out in the sun; any indoor tanning within the last year; any TBSE ever. Of 84 030 participants, 5694 were Asian American (6.8%) and 78 336 (93.2%) were Non-Hispanic White; of these individuals, 1073 (weighted prevalence, 21.0%) were Asian Indian, 1165 (19.4%) Chinese, 1312 (23.5%) Filipino, and 2144 (36.1%) Other Asian. All Asian American subgroups were more likely to seek shade, wear long clothing to the ankles, and wear long-sleeved shirts but less likely to sunburn, apply sunscreen, tan indoors, and receive TBSE than Non-Hispanic White individuals. Asian Indian individuals were less likely than Chinese participants to apply sunscreen (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.55; 95% CI, 0.41-0.74) or wear a hat (aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.37-0.76) and more likely to wear long-sleeved shirts (aOR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.52-2.33) or long clothing to the ankles (aOR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.28-1.90). The results of this cross-sectional study found that disaggregated comparisons among Asian American individuals demonstrated differences in skin cancer risk factors that may be used to identify high-risk subgroups and inform culturally aware counseling when indicated. Future studies should further sample Asian American individuals to evaluate for potential masked health disparities through disaggregated analysis.
- Research Article
- 10.1016/j.xagr.2025.100450
- Feb 1, 2025
- AJOG global reports
Episiotomy and severe perineal laceration among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander nulliparous individuals in California.
- Research Article
5
- 10.1016/j.annepidem.2024.12.005
- Jan 1, 2025
- Annals of epidemiology
National trends in drug overdose mortality among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations.
- Research Article
7
- 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.42451
- Nov 4, 2024
- JAMA Network Open
Cancer is the leading cause of death among Asian American individuals and the second leading cause of death among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander people. To evaluate longitudinal cancer mortality trends from 1999 to 2020 among Asian American and Pacific Islander populations in the US by demographic characteristics. This cross-sectional study used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database to obtain age-adjusted cancer death rates among Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals of all ages between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2020. Data were analyzed from January 12 to March 19, 2024. Age, sex, cancer type, and US census regions. Trends and average annual percent changes (AAPCs) in age-adjusted cancer-specific mortality (CSM) rates for non-Hispanic Asian American and Pacific Islander populations were estimated by cancer type, age, sex, and region using Joinpoint regression. Between 1999 and 2020, 305 386 Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals (median [IQR] age, 69.5 [58.5-79.2] years; 51.1% male) died of cancer in the US. Overall, the CSM rate decreased by 1.5% annually. Men experienced a greater CSM rate decrease (AAPC, -1.8%; 95% CI, -2.2% to -1.3%) compared with women (AAPC, -1.1%; 95% CI: -1.2% to -1.0%). For women, death rates decreased for most cancer types but increased for uterine (AAPC, 2.5%; 95% CI, 2.0%-3.0%) and brain and central nervous system (AAPC, 1.4%; 95% CI: 0.7%-2.1%) cancers. Colorectal cancer mortality rates increased among men aged 45 to 54 years (AAPC, 1.3%; 95% CI, 0.5%-2.1%). Liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer mortality increased for both men and women in all US census regions, uterine cancer mortality increased in all regions for women, and pancreatic cancer mortality increased in the Midwest for both men and women. Although these findings show an overall decrease in CSM among Asian American and Pacific Islander populations, specific cancer types exhibited increased mortality rates, with further disparities by sex and age. Targeted, culturally adapted clinical and public health interventions are needed to narrow disparities in cancer mortality.
- Research Article
10
- 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.44478
- Nov 19, 2024
- JAMA Network Open
Asian American individuals are not underrepresented in medicine; however, aggregation in prior workforce analyses may mask underlying disparities. To assess representation by Asian race and disaggregated subgroups in the US allopathic medical school workforce. This cross-sectional study used Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) special reports, generated using the AAMC Applicant-Matriculant Data File, Student Records System, Graduate Medical Education Track Survey, and faculty roster. Participants included medical school applicants, matriculants, graduates, residents, and faculty enrolled or employed at US allopathic medical schools between 2013 and 2021. Data were analyzed between March and May 2024. Asian race or ethnic subgroup as per AAMC and US Census Bureau Office of Management and Budget criteria, including Bangladeshi American, Cambodian American, Chinese American, Filipino American, Indian American, Indonesian American, Japanese American, Korean American, Pakistani American, Taiwanese American, and Vietnamese American. Representation quotients (RQ) were used to indicate representation that was equivalent (RQ of 1), higher (RQ greater than 1), or lower (RQ less than 1) than expected representation based on US population estimates. One-way analysis of variance and linear regression models assessed mean RQ differences by career stage and over time, with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. In this study, Asian American individuals accounted for 94 934 of 385 775 applicants (23%), 39 849 of 158 468 matriculants (24%), 37 579 of 152 453 graduates (24%), 229 899 of 1 035 512 residents (22%), and 297 413 of 1 351 187 faculty members (26%). The mean (SD) RQ was significantly greater among Asian American residents (3.44 [0.15]) and faculty (3.54 [0.03]) compared with Asian applicants (3.3 [0.04]), matriculants (3.37 [0.03]), or graduates (3.31 [0.06]). Upon disaggregation, RQ was significantly lower among residents and faculty in 10 of 12 subgroups. Although subgroups, such as Taiwanese American, Indian American, and Chinese American, had RQs greater than 1 (eg, Chinese American graduates: mean [SD], RQ, 3.90 [0.21]), the RQs were less than 1 for Laotian, Cambodian, and Filipino American subgroups (eg, Filipino American graduates: mean [SD], RQ, 0.93 [0.06]) at almost every career stage. No significant RQ changes were observed over time for Laotian American and Cambodian American trainees, with a resident RQ of 0 in 8 of 25 and 4 of 25 specialties, respectively. Faculty RQ increased in 9 of 12 subgroups, but Cambodian American, Filipino American, Indonesian American, Laotian American, and Vietnamese American faculty (eg, Vietnamese American faculty: mean [SD], RQ, 0.59 [0.08]) had RQs less than 1. In this cross-sectional study of Asian representation in US allopathic medical schools, Laotian American, Cambodian American, and Filipino American individuals were underrepresented at each stage of the physician workforce pathway. Efforts to promote diversity in medicine should account for these disparities to avoid perpetuating inequities.
- Research Article
111
- 10.1080/14622200801979126
- Apr 1, 2008
- Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco
Using combined data from the population-based 2001 and 2003 California Health Interview Surveys, we examined ethnic and gender-specific smoking behaviors and the effect of three acculturation indicators on cigarette smoking behavior and quitting status among 8,192 Chinese, Filipino, South Asian, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese American men and women. After adjustment for potential confounders, current smoking prevalence was higher and the quit rate was lower for Korean, Filipino, and Vietnamese American men compared with Chinese American men. Women's current smoking prevalence was lower than men's in all six Asian American subgroups. South Asian and Korean American women reported lower quit rates than women from other ethnic subgroups. Asian American men who reported using only English at home had lower current smoking prevalence and higher quit rates, except for Filipino and South Asian American men. Asian American women who reported using only English at home had higher current smoking prevalence except for Japanese women. Being a second or later generation immigrant was associated with lower smoking prevalence among all Asian American subgroups of men. Less educated men and women had higher smoking prevalence and lower quit rates. In conclusion, both current smoking prevalence and quit rates vary distinctively across gender and ethnic subgroups among Asian Americans in California. Acculturation appears to increase the risk of cigarette smoking for Asian American women. Future tobacco-control programs should target at high-risk Asian American subgroups, defined by ethnicity, acculturation status, and gender.
- Research Article
2
- 10.1093/eurheartj/ehae666.3589
- Oct 28, 2024
- European Heart Journal
Background Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in the United States. Although Asian subgroups have distinct cardiovascular (CV) risk profiles, they are often aggregated together for public health surveillance. Purpose We provide the first comprehensive national estimates of CV and CV risk factor mortality in Asian American subgroups to assess differences in CV risk. Methods We used CDC WONDER, which captures all death certificates in the US (2018-2020), as well as the American Community Survey for demographic data. Adults aged ≥18 years were included. Estimates of age-adjusted overall CV mortality, as well as heart disease, hypertension, and stroke-related mortality, were determined by ICD-10 codes. To compare the contribution of each cause of mortality among subgroups with different baseline all-cause mortality rates, proportional mortality rates were determined by race. Proportional mortality was defined as the mortality rate of each condition divided by the all-cause mortality for that race group. Differences in proportional mortality by race and ethnicity, compared with White American adults, were assessed with age-sex adjusted linear regression. Results The US population consisted of 12,950,565 Asian Americans (53.7% female). Among the Asian American subgroups, 25.4% were Asian Indian, 28.5% Chinese, 19.7% Filipino, 5.3% Japanese, 9.6% Korean, and 11.8% Vietnamese. A total of 160,282,147 adults were White. Age-adjusted baseline mortality rates are shown in the Table. Compared with White adults, Asian Indian (34.5% vs 29.3%; adjusted difference 5.2%, [95% CI: 1.8%, 8.6%], P=0.009) and Filipino (32.8% vs 29.3%; adjusted difference 3.5%, [95% CI: 0.1%, 6.9%], P=0.04) adults had significantly higher proportional mortality from all CV causes. Asian Indian (26.0% vs 22.6%; adjusted difference 3.2%, [95% CI: 0.3%, 6.2%], P=0.04) adults had higher proportional mortality from heart disease than White adults, while Korean (17.3% vs 22.6%; adjusted difference -5.2%, [95% CI: -8.1%, -2.2%], P=0.01) and Vietnamese (17.5% vs 22.6%; adjusted difference -5.1%, [95% CI: -8.0%, -2.1%], P=0.01) adults had lower proportional mortality. Every Asian American subgroup had higher proportional mortality from hypertension causes compared with White adults, except for Asian Indians (Figure). In addition, every Asian American subpopulation had higher proportional mortality from stroke compared with White adults (Figure). Conclusions CV risk factor and disease-related mortality varies substantially among Asian American subgroups. Public health efforts targeted to address CV health disparities among the diverse group of Asian Americans are needed.
- Preprint Article
- 10.1101/2024.09.17.24313831
- Sep 18, 2024
- medRxiv
ABSTRACTBackgroundDrug overdose deaths have surged over the past two decades, disproportionately impacting racial/ethnic minority populations. Yet, little is known about drug overdose patterns among Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations.MethodsWe obtained data on drug overdose deaths and population totals from the CDC WONDER Multiple Cause of Death database and American Community Survey between 2018 and 2022. We calculated crude mortality rates per 100,000, stratified by sex, US Census Division, and drug types—prescription opioids, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and benzodiazepines. Additionally, we conducted disaggregated analyses for six Asian American subgroups (Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese) and three NHPI subgroups (Hawaiian, Guamanian, Samoan).ResultsIn 2022, there were 1226 drug overdose deaths among Asian Americans and 154 among NHPI individuals. The crude mortality rate for NHPI individuals (17.52 per 100,000; 95% CI: 14.76– 20.29) tripled that of Asian Americans (5.85 per 100,000; 95% CI: 5.52–6.18). Fentanyl was the leading cause of overdose deaths among Asian Americans (3.17 per 100,000; 95% CI: 2.93– 3.41), whereas methamphetamine was predominant among NHPI individuals (11.38 per 100,000; 95% CI: 9.15–13.61). Among Asian American subgroups, Japanese Americans had the highest mortality rate (9.90 per 100,000; 95% CI: 9.61–10.2), and among NHPI subgroups, Guamanians had the highest rates (43.16 per 100,000; 95% CI: 39.05–48.24).ConclusionsThese findings underscore the urgent need for culturally competent harm reduction services, mental health and addiction treatment, and social services, addressing structural barriers that perpetuate drug overdose disparities in AANHPI communities.
- Research Article
150
- 10.1097/ede.0b013e31829ef01a
- Sep 1, 2013
- Epidemiology
The Prevalence of Type 1 Diabetes in the United States
- Research Article
- 10.1161/jaha.125.042477
- Jan 20, 2026
- Journal of the American Heart Association
Individuals who experience hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) are at increased risk for downstream pregnancy-related complications, yet the variability in this risk among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander individuals remains understudied. This study investigated the risk for 5 HDP outcomes-chronic hypertension, chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and severe preeclampsia or eclampsia-among 15 disaggregated Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander subgroups and assessed maternal characteristics that may be driving differences. We used infant and fetal vital records linked to maternal hospital discharge records from births to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander individuals in California from 2007 to 2019. Modified Poisson regression models estimated risk ratios (RR) for each outcome with sequential adjustments to assess the contributions of maternal sociodemographic and health-related characteristics to variability in risk. The largest subgroup-Chinese individuals-was the reference group. The cohort included 772 688 individuals. Prevalence of HDPs ranged from 3.7% among Chinese individuals (n=7930) to 13.0% among Guamanian individuals (n=247). All Pacific Islander subgroups and Filipino individuals were consistently at higher risk for HDPs than Chinese individuals, whereas Korean, Vietnamese, and Japanese individuals tended to be at lowest risk. After full adjustment, the highest risk groups had adjusted relative risks 2- to 3-fold higher than Chinese individuals. The variability in HDP risk observed across Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations further demonstrates the need to study health outcomes in disaggregated subgroups. These findings may help providers identify individuals at high risk for HDPs, enabling prevention, prompt treatment, and reduced adverse maternal health outcomes.