Oral

America's population is transforming rapidly, with ethnic minorities projected to become the majority by 2041. This growing diversity is transforming the population landscape of the national health arena. In particular, the lack of disaggregated data for Asian Americans continues to be a persistent barrier to advancing health equity among these populations, one of the fastest growing racial groups in the United States. New data standards and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act Section 4302 on race, ethnicity, and language by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offer opportunities to better track and monitor minority health disparities and interventions to achieve health equity. The purpose of this panel session is to provide an overview of leading national data initiatives: National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), and their efforts to engage communities and build the evidence base for Asian American health. From NHANES, NHIS, and community perspectives, we will share the successes, lessons learned and recommendations from these initiatives to transform data collection among Asian Americans and other small populations. Finally, we will discuss the policy implications and the potential opportunities to disseminate these leading models for data collection among small populations in partnership with other federally-supported national surveys and health programs to support their efforts to comply with Section 4302 requirements and advance health equity for all.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe the major gaps and barriers to data collection and their health impact among Asian Americans. 2. Articulate the scientific and community based approaches National Surveys (e.g., NHANES, NHIS) have undertaken to facilitate and improve data collection among Asian Americans. 3. Explain the key components for successful government-community partnerships in national data and research initiatives. 4. Identify the best practices for ensuring hard-to-reach, small communities can participate in data and research.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)