Panel Topics

Panel 1: Closing Gaps: Advancing DEI in Health Research 

In 2021, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued the UNITE Initiative to end structural racial inequities in health research. As part of this Initiative, Funding Opportunity Announcements have increasingly included provisions to demonstrate how research will support or include aspects of DEI. Yet, historically, less than one percent of the NIHfunded research projects focus on AA & NH/PI participants. As the healthcare field advances, it is crucial to spotlight the disparities and research gaps affecting the communities of color. Beyond funding, major hurdles occur to engage AA & NH/PI individuals in clinical research, including mistrust, lack of information, and poor representation across the diaspora. This panel will explore the multifaceted challenges in health research, including diversity within clinical trials, disaggregated data of trial results, and the need for additional investment in rare diseases that disproportionately impact AA & NH/PI populations.

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Panel 2: Navigating the Impact: Analyzing Federal Legislation on Healthcare and Access 

AA & NH/PIs experienced larger relative gains in health insurance coverage than any other racial group in the United States since the Affordable Care Act was fully implemented in 2014.  However, many in our community still remain uninsured, with Korean Americans at 10% and NHPIs at 12.3%. For over two decades, the Congressional Tri-Caucus—Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and Congressional Hispanic Caucus—have introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act, a blueprint to truly address equitable health access for communities of color in our nation. As the needs of our communities have evolved, additional health legislation has been revised and introduced to address the needs of our changing country. This panel will delve into the intricate relationship between federal legislation and healthcare outcomes for AA & NH/PI communities, scrutinizing the various policies that shape access, equity, and quality of care. Experts in healthcare policy, advocacy, and community will explore the impact of federal legislation on AA & NH/PIs, addressing both the successes and challenges encountered in pursuing comprehensive and inclusive healthcare. 

Panel 3: Bridging Gaps: Advancing Healthcare Accessibility for AA & NH/PIs

As distinct yet interconnected communities, AA & NH/PI populations face unique barriers to healthcare. In 2022, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders outlined three key policy priorities to advance health equity for these communities: Anti-Asian hate and violence, data disaggregation, and language access. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services created an action plan providing examples of expanding, delivering, investing, and engaging with communities to reduce health disparities. Public health, healthcare policy, and community advocacy experts will discuss some of the strategies for overcoming these challenges and advancing equitable healthcare access for both groups, including patient engagement, telehealth, and the unique concerns of our growing aging population. 

Panel 4: Beyond Healthcare: Unraveling Social Determinants of Health for AA & NH/PIs

The basic necessities of life—food, shelter, transportation, physical safety, participation in decision-making, education, and job opportunities—are prerequisites for health. These factors are often described as “social determinants of health,” defined by the U.S. Center for Disease and Control Prevention as “conditions in places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health quality-of-life risks and outcomes.” This panel explores the social determinants of health that profoundly influence the well-being of AA & NH/PIs, including diet and culture, housing, and education, and how these factors affect the overall health of these communities, including mental health. Experts will address these unique social, economic, and environmental factors to find opportunities to advance health equity for AA & NH/PI communities.

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