Pacific Innovation Collaborative (PIC): A health information exchange system to address health disparities among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The Pacific Innovation Collaborative (PIC) project is a collaborative effort between the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Hawaii and Washington states. This study will assess clinical outcome measure trends from 2007-2008 for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islanders. METHODS: Disaggregated information by ethnicity on the following measures will be collected from the health information exchange: child immunization rates, HbA1c levels for diabetes, emergency room use, and primary care and well-child visits. We will conduct bivariate analyses to provide results by different subgroups including ethnicity. RESULTS: Preliminary findings show that Chinese, Native Hawaiians, and Samoans utilize diabetes and immunization services at FQHCs at higher rates than other ethnicities in Hawaii and Washington. Findings also showed differences among FQHCs in urban versus rural areas. More research is needed to determine the role of cultural as well as social factors in the utilization of services at FQHCs in these states. Final findings will be shared during the presentation of this study. DISCUSSION: Addressing population health challenges remains a goal of many health information exchange efforts in the United States. This study focuses on the health disparities of underserved, low-income Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders.