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4 in 10 AAPI adults cite healthcare as top family concern
The findings come as Congress debates the future of Affordable Care Act subsidies and potential cuts to Medicaid and other safety-net programs.
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Malvika Choudhary - Mon, 15, Dec 2025
- 14:56 EST
- 24
Guide on AAPIs and health / aapidata.com
Four in 10 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults identified healthcare as the most significant concern faced by them and their families, according to new data released on Dec. 11.
The report, By the Numbers: AANHPIs and Health, published by AAPI Data, compiled survey, community and government data to examine health outcomes, insurance coverage and public opinion across Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.
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Its release comes as lawmakers consider the future of Affordable Care Act subsidies and proposed funding reductions to programs such as Medicaid, nutrition assistance and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) beginning in 2026.
The guide finds limited support among AAPI communities for proposed health policy cuts. Fifty-five percent of AAPI adults said they would oppose legislation that would save $1 trillion over 10 years by reducing Medicaid benefits for low-income residents.
7 in 10 respondents said the federal government is spending too little on improving the healthcare system.
“As a trustworthy source of data and insights about Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, we are excited to share our latest resource guide on health data,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and executive director of AAPI Data.
“The data is clear: AAPIs want more investment in the healthcare system and oppose cuts in health benefits to low-income residents,” he added.
Public opinion data in the report also shows strong backing for government regulation of health care costs, with more than 80 percent of AAPI adults supporting limits on prescription drug prices and medical expenses.
Health insurance coverage has improved significantly since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the report said.
Among Asian Americans, the uninsured rate fell from 16 percent to 6 percent, while among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders it declined from 17 percent to 11 percent. Indian Americans are among the most insured Asian subgroups, with 96 percent reporting coverage.
The resource guide documents wide variation in health status and chronic conditions across AANHPI communities. About 11 percent of Asian American adults and 16 percent of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults reported fair or poor health in recent years.
Rates of high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes varied significantly by ethnicity, with Filipino Americans reporting higher prevalence and Chinese and Asian Indian adults reporting lower rates.
Disability affects hundreds of thousands, with more than 700,000 Asian Americans and over 30,000 NHPI adults reporting difficulties with independent living. Mental health service utilization remains low, with only 5–7 percent of Asian American adults reporting receiving counseling in the past year, despite higher anxiety levels among some groups.
“Our recent AAPI Policy Priorities Survey demonstrated that healthcare is one of the most important issues facing AAPIs and their families,” said Gregg Orton, national director of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans. “This guide will be an important resource as we continue to advocate for affordable healthcare for all,” he added.
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