Developing the Next Generation of Health Equity Practitioners, Researchers and Leaders

Achieving health equity is a critical imperative, because fairness is at the heart of our nation's values, and because health disparities account for a large portion of adverse health outcomes and healthcare costs. At 18.5 million, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs), constitute the two fastest growing racial populations in America, and by 2050, 1 out of 10 Americans will be AANHPI. There are many health disparities among AANHPIs, particularly when the data is disaggregated. Although more research is needed on AANHPI health, there is evidence that Asian Americans may be more dissatisfied with their healthcare compared to non-Hispanic whites.

One key element to understanding health disparities and achieving health equity is a diverse health and healthcare workforce. Although 22% of medical students are AANHPIs, only 21% upon graduation decide to practice in under-served communities, compared to 42% of Hispanics and 56% of African-Americans. Although disaggregated data remain elusive, some AANHPI groups are underrepresented among clinicians and researchers.

In addition to promoting increased AANHPI representation in the traditional health professionals, the social determinants of health must be addressed. There is a need for innovative approaches to workforce development to involve empowerment of community members and organizations to address barriers to health at all levels. These approaches include community-based participatory research models, community and lay health workers, and patient navigators. The capacity for a diverse AANHPI health workforce to achieve health equity exists within AANHPI communities.

The author will present the WHIAPPI Plan for Workforce Diversity.