摘要：Little is known about the health of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women, a rapidly growing population marked by diverse sociodemographic characteristics, health needs, and access to and use of health services. This commentary provides broad recommendations for research, program development, and policy development based on the first-ever White House Initiative report on AAPIs. These recommendations address the issues of data, access, civil rights, community capacity, and the need to recognize ethnic subgroups among the AAPI population. Reflecting on the events of the past year, the recommendations provide direction for public health to address the health and well-being of AAPI women. THE YEAR 2001 WAS memorable in many ways. While the tragedy of the events related to September 11 will indelibly mark our memories, the year will also be remembered for its accomplishments. For the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) health community, 2001 was a step forward in raising recognition of its constituency. The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders released the first-ever President's Advisory Commission report on AAPIs. 1 This report was the culmination of town meetings held across the country to give voice to the issues and concerns of AAPIs. In April 2001, following the release of the report, a conference entitled “Voices From the Community: Building Community Readiness to Improve Asian American and Pacific Islander Health” marked the largest-ever gathering of AAPI health and community leaders. The conference was sponsored by the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum in collaboration with numerous other AAPI health organizations. Key themes and recommendations that resonated in both the report and the conference provide the framework for this commentary on the health of AAPI women. These recommendations are as follows: To improve data collection, analysis, and dissemination To ensure access—especially linguistic access—and cultural competence To protect civil rights and equal opportunity To strengthen and sustain the community's ability to address its health needs (community capacity) To recognize and include Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in federal programs and services There are over 5.6 million AAPI women in the United States, with origins in nearly 50 countries or ethnic groups. Pacific Islanders, who make up roughly 5% of the AAPI population, are primarily indigenous or native born, while approximately 65% of the 5.2 million Asian American women are foreign born. 2 Over 100 different languages and dialects are spoken by AAPIs. According to the 1990 census, nearly 66% of AAPIs speak an Asian or Pacific Islander language at home. Approximately 35% are linguistically isolated, living in households where no one 14 years or older speaks English “very well.” 1 In terms of limited English proficiency, Pacific Islanders are the least limited and Southeast Asians the most limited. AAPIs are extremely heterogeneous in terms of socioeconomic characteristics by ethnic subgroup. Whereas the 1990 median family income for Asian Americans overall was $41 583, it ranged from $14 327 for Hmong to $51 550 for Japanese. The median family income for Pacific Islanders overall was $33 955, ranging from $26 865 for Tongans to $37 269 for Hawaiians. 3 Similarly, rates of poverty vary widely among AAPI groups. In 1990, more than 60% of Hmong Americans and 40% of Cambodian Americans were living below the poverty line, compared with 7% of Japanese Americans and 6% of Filipino Americans. 1 Among Pacific Islanders, nearly 26% of Samoans and 23% of Tongans were living below the poverty line, compared with 9.5% of Melanesians. 3 Although these statistics are not comprehensive, it is clear that AAPI women are a diverse group by culture, history, and sociodemographic characteristics.
