A recent report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has sparked a growing movement to disaggregate health data for Asian Americans, a diverse group often overlooked in discussions about racial and ethnic disparities. The report, published in October 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed to provide an equitable framework for vaccine distribution but failed to mention Asian American communities.
This omission highlighted the long-standing issue of treating Asian Americans as a monolithic group, masking significant health disparities among different Asian origins. Researchers and advocates argue that lumping together data from over 20 ethnicities with vastly different cultures, languages, and socioeconomic statuses perpetuates harmful stereotypes and hinders efforts to address specific health needs.
“We’re not a monolith,” said Nadia Islam, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Population Aging Research Center. “There are massive disparities within the Asian American community that get obscured when we lump everyone together.”
The push for disaggregated data has gained momentum, with organizations like the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum leading the charge. However, challenges remain, including inconsistent data collection practices and a lack of funding and resources.
“Researchers Are Working to Disaggregate Asian American Health Data—Here’s Why It’s Long Overdue” (March 29, 2024)
