Asian Americans are often attributed with positive images of higher education, income and level of employment. Yet, this image is also overshadowed the public’s perception when it comes to health insurance coverage among the Asian American community.

A study done by the Kaiser Family Foundation in January 2007 found that as a whole, Asian Americans have relatively high rates of health coverage, but when separated into different subgroups, the data of health coverage for Asian Americans dropped significantly, with many Asian subgroups having high rates of uninsured individuals.

One reason for this is the decision to group Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians, two of the poorest ethnic communities, with all Asians, blinding the public’s awareness of health coverage problems among Asian minorities.

High rates of uninsured health coverage mean that individuals are less prone to seek health care and miss out preventive screenings like cancer. This can be detrimental. According to data from 2003 from the National Cancer of Health statistics, cancer is the leading cause of death for Asian Americans.

The road to improving health care rates is long but attainable. Deeana Jane, policy director of AAPI health forum believes that by bringing more awareness into the community, more people can be helped.

- written by Tommy Chen