Championing cancer equity: Our drive for healthier AANHPI communities

As we celebrate the rich histories and contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities this AANHPI Heritage Month, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) shines a light on a grave health disparity within these diverse groups.

Cancer remains a particularly relentless adversary within our communities. It is the leading cause of death among AANHPIs since 2000 according to the CDC, representing 27% of all deaths in our communities. Recent data illustrates that lung (27%), liver (14%), and colorectal (11%) cancers emerge as the most common causes of cancer-related deaths among AANHPI men, while women face the highest mortality from lung (21%), breast (14%), and colorectal cancers (11%).

This significant toll presents a silent crisis that demands our immediate, united action, fueling our mission to ensure cancer equity - the pursuit of equitable access to cancer prevention, early detection, and quality care for every individual. To ensure health equity requires confronting the unique health disparities and recognizing the importance of disaggregated data within AANHPI subgroups. We believe that with tailored education and outreach that prioritizes precise, culturally responsive health strategies, many of these deaths could be prevented.

Yet, our communities face tough hurdles to early detection and treatment: inadequate insurance, cultural beliefs that can hinder seeking help, lack of education about prevention and treatment, and language barriers that make navigating healthcare a struggle. One in three adults in our communities have limited English proficiency, leading to a critical lack of cancer resources in languages accessible to them. These challenges are especially acute for our immigrant Southeast Asian and NHPI communities, highlighting the urgent need for support and information that truly speaks to them.

In 2023, APIAHF received PhRMA's Collaborative Actions to Reach Equity (CAREs) grant to support our "Improving Cancer Outcomes in AANHPI Communities" initiative. Our strategy is two-fold: to boost education and awareness around cancer prevention and treatment and to expand access to life-saving cancer screenings. To achieve this effectively, it's imperative that we approach AANHPI populations with culturally sensitive solutions that align with their lived experiences, ensuring we provide accessible and relevant support directly within their communities.

Through our network of over 250 CBOs, we've launched educational campaigns in numerous AANHPI languages that spotlight health disparities and key cancers that disproportionately affect our communities - such as breast, cervical, colorectal, gastric, ovarian, prostate, and liver - as well as emphasizing general preventative care. This outreach is designed to elevate awareness and stimulate informed discussions about prevention and treatment options among underserved and uninsured refugee, immigrant, migrant, and AANHPI individuals with limited English proficiency, as well as healthcare professionals across diverse care settings.

At APIAHF, we believe targeted efforts can foster significant transformations. As we honor our histories this AANHPI Heritage Month, let's renew our dedication to a healthier future for our AANHPI communities by advocating for, educating about, and ensuring equitable cancer care.

Through collaborative, tailored strategies, we will not only bridge health gaps - we can create a legacy of health equity and empowerment as vibrant and inclusive as our heritage itself.