Understanding health disparities in Hawaii: Utilization of Federally Qualified Health Centers among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders

BACKGROUND: Many health conditions such as infant mortality and diabetes are major concerns for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders (AA&NHOPIs) in Hawaii. Some groups, however, are more disproportionately affected than others. For instance, some communities such as the Waianae Coast of Oahu have the highest rates of infant mortality in the state. Additionally, the rates of diabetes for Native Hawaiians are five times greater than that of non-Hawaiians. OBJECTIVE: Given the heterogeneous nature of Hawaii's population, this study seeks to identify the AA&NHOPI groups who have the highest rates of infant mortality, diabetes and utilize Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). METHODS: The following measures will be collected from a health information exchange between three FQHCs in Hawaii: child immunization rates, HbA1c levels for diabetes, and utilization of clinic providers. The researcher will conduct multiple cross-tabulations on these measures based on ethnicity and other demographics. RESULTS: Preliminary findings show that Chinese, Native Hawaiians, and Samoans have the lowest child immunization rates, highest HbA1c levels for diabetes, and utilize services at FQHCs at higher rates than other ethnicities in Hawaii. Furthermore, findings also showed differences among utilization among AA&NHOPIs in urban versus rural areas with Native Hawaiians comprising the majority of patients in rural areas. Final findings will be shared during the presentation of this study. DISCUSSION: More research is needed to determine the role of social as well as cultural factors in understanding health disparities in Hawaii.