Dear Friends and Partners,
Over the past 7 months Dr. Anthony Fauci has become a household name. We’ve heard him briefing the nation numerous times, alongside other members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force. We’ve also learned that Dr. Fauci is one of the directors of the 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH serves as the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation.
Their budget of $40 billion a year enables researchers and health experts to seek knowledge and apply their findings to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability of our nation.
So, here’s a question for you: What percentage of the NIH funding do you think has gone to health research for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population?
.17% in 26 years COMBINED
If you’re wondering if that’s a typo, it’s not. It’s a problem. In 26 years combined, the NIH has invested less than half a percent of its funding to research and application of its findings in AAPI communities (read the full report, click here). This means that AAPIs are the least represented group in health research in the United States today. Underrepresentation has resulted in the lack of culturally sensitive health treatments and modalities, which should take into consideration our genetics and unique environmental influences. AAPIs have long contributed to the colorful and rich fabric of our country for two centuries. Yet, we are constantly finding in sobering fashion – especially during the past 7 months – how quickly and easily AAPIs are overlooked. As the fastest growing racial minority in the country, one that contributes to our society in very meaningful ways, pays roughly $200 billion in annual taxes, and holds a spending power of $450 billion every year, AAPIs deserve better representation.
Our Solution and Call to Action
Watch a short 3 minutes video on our project.
So, here’s what NAPCA is doing to address this problem. We’ve partnered with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) (visit the project website) and Dr. Van Ta Park to support their pioneering initiative to develop the very first research registry for AAPIs in the state of California. This registry (available in other languages including Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese) will ensure we are represented and have a voice in the health research being conducted in America. We need you to be part of the solution. It only takes 5-10 minutes to enroll in the registry, and doing so does not enroll you into a study. It’s free, confidential, and you can withdraw at any time. Enrollment assistance is also available through our multilingual Helpline.
Together, we can fill the gap, address the health inequities impacting our communities, and work to ensure Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) live healthy lives and thrive.
Yours sincerely,
Joon Bang
President and CEO
National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA)
NAPCA Helpline
The NAPCA Helpline is currently available with live support for residents in Los Angeles and Seattle in five different languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Korean. All Helpline counselors are available every Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm PST. The Helpline provides resources and information on the COVID-19, voicemail option to collect stories from older adults and their caregivers, and guided meditations in 8 languages.
English: 1-800-336-2722 | 廣東話: 1-800-582-4218 | 普通话: 1-800-683-7427 | 한국어: 1-800-582-4259 | 日本語: 1-800-398-1117 | Tagalog: 1-800-593-8087 | Tiếng Việt: 1-800-582-4336 | Español: 1-800-948-3844
National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA)
Founded in 1979, NAPCA is a national non-profit organization that preserves and promotes the dignity, well-being and quality of life of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and diverse older adults. In its 40 years, NAPCA has served over 100,000 diverse older adults through the organization’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), Senior Environmental Employment Program (SEE), and its Resource Center. For more information, please visit: www.napca.org.
###