Nearly half of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in Texas are foregoing routine healthcare due to cost concerns, according to a new survey by the Episcopal Health Foundation. The report highlights significant health disparities and barriers to care faced by this growing population in the Lone Star State.
The survey found that one in five AAPI Texans struggle to pay medical bills when they do receive treatment. High costs, lack of affordable housing, and unreliable transportation were identified as key factors negatively impacting their health and access to care.
Brian Sasser, chief communications officer for Episcopal Health Foundation, emphasized how non-medical factors can put health at risk: “Not being able to get reliable, affordable transportation to go to a doctor’s visit, to go to a check-up, to get a test done, to get a prescription filled…You can’t go to the grocery store to get healthy food so you may go to the closest convenience store, and if you can’t get to a park or somewhere to exercise, you don’t exercise.”
The AAPI population in Texas has grown faster than any other group over the past two decades, now numbering over 1.8 million. Despite this growth, the community faces persistent healthcare challenges. Over half of respondents believe Texas is not doing enough to ensure low-income adults receive needed healthcare, with many supporting Medicaid expansion.
The survey results mirror health disparities seen among other racial and ethnic groups in Texas, highlighting broader systemic issues in healthcare access and affordability across the state.
See “Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in TX face health disparities” (June 18, 2024)
