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White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

HHS Plan for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Health

Introduction

HHS works closely with state and local governments, and many HHS-funded services are provided at the local level by state or county agencies, or through private sector grantees. The Department's programs are administered by 11 operating divisions, including eight agencies in the U.S. Public Health Service and three human services agencies. The Department includes more than 300 programs, covering a wide spectrum of activities. In addition to the services they deliver, HHS programs provide for equitable treatment of beneficiaries nationwide, and they enable the collection of national health and other data.

HHS Plan Overview

The HHS plan illustrates measurable objectives that the Department will pursue to raise the visibility of AANHPI health issues, health care and human services disparities. This plan is meant to be a first step in elevating AANHPI issues across the Department under the leadership of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Howard Koh.

The plan was developed as part of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, which aims to improve quality of life and opportunities for Asian American and Pacific Islander participation in federal programs.

Four overall-arching health issues have been identified that support Departmental objectives to improve the well-being of AANHPIs. These goals include how the Department will carry out its plan to prevent, treat and control Hepatitis B infections in AANHPI communities, work to improve reporting of data, foster workforce diversity by developing workforce pipelines for AAs and NHPIs, and address some of the key health issues that specifically impact NH and PI populations.

HHS Workgroup on Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Issues (WANHPII)

Established in 1997, the mission of HHS Workgroup on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Issues (WANHPII) is to improve communication, coordination, agency policies, programs, and evaluations that impact the health, health care, human services and wellbeing of Asian American (AA), Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities. WANHPII is a department-wide workgroup comprised of representatives from HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).

Under the leadership of the Office of Minority Health (OMH), WANHPII raises the visibility of Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders health issues, health care and human services disparities. The workgroup promotes HHS policies that provide greater access to quality services for AANHPI communities and improves data on health disparities. WANHPII also promotes and identifies new policies, programs, and best practices that are culturally and linguistically competent. The workgroup supports the development of and enhances existing partnerships that will effectively engage diverse communities to address the health, health care, and human services needs of AA and NHPI communities.

In response to Presidential Executive Order 13515, The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, WANHPII developed this plan, which will help increase the AANHPI communities' participation in and access to the Department's programs.