Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage

Discover the history and learn about programs to improve the health of Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander populations in the United States.

In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad, completed May 10, 1869. In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a month-long celebration .

During Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month , we honor the perseverance of those who courageously reached for their hopes and dreams in a new land, and we celebrate the important impact the AAPI community has made on our Nation's progress.

CDC Works to Improve the Health of Asian American and Pacific Islander Populations

Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening in Funded U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands
CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program funds four of the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI): Republic of Palau, Republic of Guam, American Samoa, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for breast and cervical cancer screening.These funded programs implement culturally appropriate cancer prevention and control interventions to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality.A primary goal of the program is to reduce health disparities, and in accordance with the Healthy People 2020 Goals for the nation, this program aims to increase access to screening.CDC provides funding to implement these breast and cervical cancer screening programs. In 2014, the USAPI Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention programs served 1,017 women with breast screening services and 1,826 women with cervical screening services.
Reaching Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through Innovative Strategies to Achieve Equity in Tobacco Control and Cancer Prevention
Smoking increases your risk for cancer, heart disease, and stroke—which are leading causes of death for Asian Americans. About one in ten Asian American adults smokes cigarettes. CDC's Comprehensive Cancer Control grantee, the Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy, and Leadership (APPEAL), is working to implement its RAISE (Reaching Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through Innovative Strategies to Achieve Equity in Tobacco Control and Cancer Prevention) Program . APPEAL, through the Phoenix Equity Group, held an Equity Leadership Summit in Seattle, WA, on March 30-April 1, 2016.This summit brought together 28 community leaders and local and state health department representatives to engage in leadership development activities and peer dialogue on how to advance equity within the tobacco control movement. APPEAL also hosted a Twitter chat to raise awareness on youth tobacco use and prevention efforts on Kick Butts Day, March 16, 2016. APPEAL's RAISE Network, alongwith RAISE partners and fellow CDC National Networks, used #KickButtsChat to share information and resources for youth tobacco prevention for priority populations. View a Storify version of the Twitter chat , learn more about smoking among different populations, and find resources to help smokers quit.
Know Hepatitis B
AAPIs make up less than 5% of the total population in the United States, but account for more than 50% of Americans living with chronic Hepatitis B . Despite these high rates, many are not tested for Hepatitis B. They are unaware of their infection and many recent immigrants do not have access to medical services that can help save lives. As a result, chronic Hepatitis B and associated liver cancer in AAPIs is one of the most serious health disparities in the United States.

In this CDC YouTube video Dr. Howard K. Koh, MD, MPH, Assistant Secretary for Health (2009-2014), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, addresses Asian Americans about the importance of talking to their doctor about testing for Hepatitis B.
CDC, along with partner, Hep B United, launched Know Hepatitis B, a national communications campaign promoting Hepatitis B testing among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. CDC developed educational materials in seven Asian languages for the Know Hepatitis B National Campaign. These messages and materials[467 KB] aim to facilitate education and communication about Hepatitis B among healthcare providers, local partners, and patients.
Asian and Pacific Islander HIV Awareness
May 19 is National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day . This observance is to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS in Asian and Pacific Islander communities and to encourage people to get tested for HIV. The number of HIV diagnoses among Asians has increased in recent years, along with the growth of the Asian population in the United States. Among Asians, gay and bisexual men are most affected by HIV. More than 1 in 5 Asians living with HIV do not know they have it. Learn more about HIV infection among Asians in the United States and what you can do to raise awareness.