Data Collection and Reporting on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Health (posted 3/15)

This document summarizes the recommendations from the very first national convening of the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Health Brain Trust on Data & Research held in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 14-16, 2009. A Call to Action: More Data Collection and Reporting on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Health to Eliminate Health Disparities was developed by the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) in response to the urgent need for more baseline data and evidence-based research on the health and healthcare issues of the NHPI population. "There are large data gaps regarding the NHPI population in federally funded surveys or studies. In such studies or surveys the NHPI category is generally nonexistent, lumped together with Asian Americans, or minimally represented in data presentation formats. It is important to utizlize data and research as tools to help ensure access to quality primary and preventive services, especially for communities of color and indigenous peoples such as the NHPI population."

Mental health and substance use disorders were one of the major issues identified in the report for the NHPI community: "Mental health and substance use disorders were also identified as pressing issues since many NHPIs are not accessing needed primary health care nor complying with medical treatment. Native Hawaiian adolescents on the continent have higher risk and rates of suicide than other adolescents in Hawaii. Surveyed teens say that they feel a strong sense of ethnic identity can help protect them from depression and anxiety and boost their levels of self-acceptance."

To download the report click here (3.6MB). For more information click here.

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