A 1993 Status Report on the Health Status of Asian Pacific Islander Americans: Comparisons with Healthy People 2000 Objectives

PURPOSE OF THE PAPER: The purpose of this paper is to offer a current assessment of the health status of Asian Pacific Islander Americans (APIAs) with respect to relevant Healthy People 2000 objectives and an assessment of Federal resource allocations targeted at APIAs. SUMMARY OF METHODS UTILIZED: The author reviewed documents from the relevant progress reports made to the Assistant Secretary on Health on Healthy People 2000 objectives, other Federal documents, and a review of the literature. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Adequate progress has been made on only one of the eight objectives targeted at APIAs; progress on the remaining objectives is either "not on target," require more data to evaluate, or inappropriate for APIAs at this time. Examples of APIA health problems not included in Healthy People 2000 objectives were documented. Illustrations of inadequate allocations of Federal health resources were cited. CONCLUSIONS: APIAs have been among the most neglected minority group with regards to health status surveillance, health services, and have been the most overlooked in Federal resource allocations. However, as greater awareness of data deficits and health status is presented, policy makers have the opportunity to improve the situation. A policy to improve the health status of APIAs must be multifaceted and minimally include the facets of data needs, intervention approaches, a research agenda, and advocacy. RELEVANCE TO ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN POPULATIONS: A 1993 review of the health status of APIAs with regards to the eight Healthy People 2000 and areas not covered by Healthy People 2000 were reviewed. KEY WORDS: Asian Americans, health status, health policy, health planning, tobacco, diet, diseases