Giving Compass' Take:
- The San Diego Foundation reports on addressing disparities facing AANHPI communities in areas such as education, health care, economic stability, and social inclusion.
- How can donors and funders support equity and belonging for AANHPI communities across the country?
- Learn more about best practices in philanthropy.
- Search our Guide to Good for nonprofits in your area.
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San Diego County is home to one of the nation’s largest and most diverse Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, comprising 16.2% of the region’s population, making addressing disparities facing AANHPI communities particularly important.
Despite this substantial presence, many AANHPI individuals face disparities in health, economic stability, education and social inclusion. These challenges are often overlooked due to the misconception that the AANHPI community shares a uniform experience.
The new State of San Diego AANHPI Report commissioned by San Diego Foundation (SDF) and developed in partnership with the San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center dismantles this narrative.
By exploring differences among subgroups within the AANHPI community to go about addressing disparities facing AANHPI communities, the report sheds light on the need for targeted approaches that ensure individuals in the diverse community have the opportunity to thrive.
“As the AANHPI community continues to grow and contribute to the rich cultural fabric of San Diego, we wanted to take a closer look at how we can better serve their unique needs, rather than take a traditional one-size-fits all approach,” said Mark Stuart, President and CEO, SDF.
“This report provides the first in-depth look at the disparities between these subgroups and offers recommendations for policymakers, philanthropies and community organizations to better address their diverse needs and enable them to thrive.”
Addressing Disparities Facing AANHPI Communities Across Key Areas
Drawing from data from the U.S. Census’s 2022 American Community Survey and interviews with local AANHPI leaders, the report outlines critical challenges across four areas:
Health and Food Security
- Cancer is the leading cause of death among AANHPI groups, with breast cancer being the most common diagnosis among women.
- Mental health concerns are pressing, particularly for youth; in California, suicide is the leading cause of death for AANHPI individuals ages 15 to 24.
- Food insecurity is prevalent: Nearly half of Cambodians and other Pacific Islanders rely on SNAP benefits compared to 8.5% of White, non-Latino residents.
Read the full article about supporting AANHPI communities at San Diego Foundation.