Caring for Your AAPI Patients
Inspired by a resolution passed by the WSMA House of Delegates in 2021,
the information curated here is intended to assist medical professionals
caring for, and advocating for, Asian American and Pacific Islander
peoples.
Clinical Guidance
Improving the health of Asian American and Pacific Islander patients by
increasing knowledge, empowering education, and positively impacting their
clinical care.
Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education (CARE)
Asians are the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the United States,
representing 25% of all foreign- born people in the United States. They
are projected to reach nearly 34 million by 2050.
Similar to other communities of color, disparities exist in health
outcomes and indicators among the Asian-American community.
Disproportionate burdens of health conditions affecting this population
across the United States include cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
hepatitis B, and osteoporosis. National-level data indicate that cancer is
the leading cause of death among Asian-Americans. Socioeconomic, cultural,
and genetic factors likely affect their health. There is a strong need to
improve knowledge, education, and clinical care to reduce healthcare
disparities among Asian subgroups.
The Center for Asian Health Research and Education provides a common place
for research, education and clinical care support allowing disparate
faculty, staff, community members and trainees to share ideas and common
resources.
The Center’s goals are:
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To increase research and knowledge in Asian and Asian-American health.
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To educate patients, providers, and the community about the health needs
of Asians and Asian- Americans.
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To improve the culturally sensitive and evidence-based delivery of
healthcare to Asians and Asian-Americans.
Learn more
Photo credit: Garland Cary Photography.
Journal of Asian Health
Journal of Asian Health was founded in 2011 by Dr. Gloria Wu. In 2021, it
partnered with Stanford University’s Center for Asian Health Research and
Education (CARE). The journal’s mission is to contribute to the
understanding of the social and medical determinants of health in Asians,
in the United States and globally. JAH is a peer-reviewed journal that
publishes two issues a year.
Learn more
Photo credit: Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash.
AMA STEPS Forward® Racial and Health Equity Toolkit
AMA STEPS Forward® presents actionable, practical toolkits, and
customizable resources that you can use to successfully implement
meaningful and transformative change in your practice or organization.
In the Racial and Health Equity: Concrete STEPS for Health Systems
toolkit, your organization can translate its commitment to racial and
health equity into action in your health system.
Learn more
Photo credit: Photo by Lindsay Henwood on Unsplash.
National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians
The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians is committed to
the advancement of the health and well-being of their patients and
communities. NCAPIP believes everyone should receive the highest quality
health care, provided by health care systems and supported by health care
policies that value each and every individual and their unique
backgrounds. Health care should be provided in an equitable manner,
without discrimination based on type of health insurance, income, gender,
age, race, ethnicity, national origin, language, religion, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, geographic location, or immigration
status.
The NCAPIP Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Toolkit is a
work in progress but provides information for solo and small practices on
quality improvement and practice transformation for serving diverse
patients.
Learn more
Photo credit: Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash.
AAPI Advocacy
Influencing policy, mobilizing communities, and strengthening programs and
organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders.
Stop AAPI Hate
In response to the alarming escalation in xenophobia and bigotry resulting
from the COVID-19 pandemic, AAPI Equity Alliance (AAPI Equity), Chinese
for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Studies Department of
San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate coalition on
March 19, 2020. The coalition tracks and responds to incidents of hate,
violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Stop AAPI Hate’s mission is to advance equity, justice, and power by
dismantling systemic racism and building a multiracial movement to end
anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander hate. Its approach recognizes
that to effectively address anti-Asian racism, we must work to end all
forms of structural racism leveled at Black, Indigenous, and other
communities of color.
Learn more
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
APIAHF influences policy, mobilizes communities, and strengthens programs
and organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans and Native
Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.
As a health justice non-profit organization, APIAHF is dedicated to
improving the health and well-being of more than 20 million AAs and NHPIs
living in the United States and its jurisdictions. APIAHF believes that
all persons have the right to be healthy, the right to live in a thriving
community, and the right to quality, affordable, and accessible health
care.
Learn more
Photo credit: Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash.