Oral

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) face multiple social and ethnic health disparities. However, little has been done to address such disparities and the systematic barriers to health and healthcare faced by this culturally and linguistically diverse, rapidly growing population. In addition, the rapidly growing population of underserved AAPIs with low socioeconomic status and poor health status has not been adequately recognized and is of increasing public health concern. The purpose of this session is to educate the public health audience about innovative AAPI interventions and the associated cultural and linguistic factors. The session's presentations suggest that while personal factors such as family history, ethnic beliefs and language influence AAPI health care and outcomes, culturally and linguistically-appropriate public health and health promotion programs also play critical roles.

Session Objectives: • Describe the successes and challenges facing select public health programs serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) across the United States. • Articulate the key culturally and lingistically appropriate pubic health strategies and tools that are most effective among AAPIs and AAPI serving organizations. • Describe cultural beliefs among select AAPI subgroups and their potential impact on access and utilization of public health programs.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing