About NCAPIP


The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP) represents Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander physicians committed to the advancement of the health and well-being of their patients and communities. NCAPIP believes in shaping health care in America to meet this shared American goal of optimal health for all.

Physicians must take a leadership role in assuring that every American receives the highest quality health care, provided by health care systems and supported by health care policies that value each and every individual and their unique backgrounds. Health care should be provided in an equitable manner, without discrimination based on type of health insurance, income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, language, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, geographic location, or immigration status.

NCAPIP recognizes the important policy gains implemented by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and supports additional national, state, local, and health care industry-driven policy reforms that will address the disparities AANHPI populations face, and which would improve the health care systems in the U.S. for all. To achieve optimal health for all, federal, state, local, and health care industry policies, standards, and practices must address:
  1. affordable access to care that is not only affordable health insurance coverage, but also overcoming cultural and linguistic barriers to care;
  2. improved quality of care, a must for all Americans, with consideration given to the socioeconomic conditions, diversity of needs, and health disparities experienced by AANHPIs;
  3. reduced costs and payment reform with continued innovation, and intentional shift of resources to prevention and wellness, primary care, and home- and community based care; and
  4. health workforce development and leadership.

NCAPIP Mourns the Deaths of Sikh Americans Against the Backdrop of AAPI Hate

The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians extends its deepest sympathies to the families of individuals killed in the most recent of horrific events of gun violence that occurred on Thursday, April 15 at a FEDEX facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. Eight individuals were killed, including four members of the Sikh community.

“At a time when our country is gripped in heightened aggression towards the Asian American community, it is hard not to reflect on the loss of the Sikh community as consistent with the hate that killed six Asian women in Atlanta barely one month ago. Our organization mourns the loss of all the individuals whose lives were taken, and is committed to advocating for actions and policies that protect our communities and fights for justice of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders” , commented Dr. Winston Wong, Chair and Acting CEO of NCAPIP.

"Beyond Invisibility: Critical Steps in Disaggregated Data for AANHPIs"

Join NCAPIP as we speak with Dr. Keawe Kaholokula and Dr. Nadia Islam about the strategic opportunities to get better disaggregated AANHPI data - an essential step for achieving health equity.

Register

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COVID-19 Vaccine & Heart Conditions




Top 10 COVID-19 Vaccination Tips for People with Heart Conditions




NCAPIP Statement

The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP) joins other civil rights leaders in expressing our sorrow and anger over the murders of 8 individuals in the Atlanta region yesterday, six of whom were of Asian descent. Although the investigation is still in its early stages, authorities have described the killing spree as “not a hate crime”, which NCAPIP believes continues the legacy of denying the racism that inflicts the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community.

“The killings in Georgia cannot be regarded as an isolated one that is separate from the dramatic rise in violent attacks against AANHPI community in the last year, which is entangled in a narrative that regards persons of Asian descent as fodder for anger and hatred precipitated by COVID-19 fueled xenophobia and racism. The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians calls for a public health response that safeguards the rights of the AANHPI community and protects community from random and violent attacks. The trauma of this event extends well beyond the immediate families that lost their loved ones. It impacts our patients and communities and it is a danger to their health not just during this pandemic, but beyond.” commented Dr. Winston Wong, Chair and acting CEO of NCAPIP.

Conversations with NCAPIP

When: Thursday, March 25 at 7pm ET
What: Can Organized Medicine Take On Racism As a Public Health Issue? What's At Stake and How Do We Get There?  (via Zoom Webinar)

Join NCAPIP as we speak with the American Medical Association's Dr. Aletha Maybank and the California Medical Association's Dr. Peter Bretan on the role of organized medicine in addressing racism as a public health issue, and how we as leaders of organized physician groups grapple with achieving health equity, and how that applies to the issues we see in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community.

Registration link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5716158305734/WN_DLRGs-rVR1CLcVB0tKLW_Q

NCAPIP Applauds Congressional Approval to Restore Medicaid Eligibility to Pacific Islanders

The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians enthusiastically welcomed the anticipated congressional bill to restore Medicaid eligibility to thousands of Pacific Islander residents in the United States who are covered by the Compact of Free Association. The provision is one part of an expansive bill expected to come law later today to provide support to Americans struggling in face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The restoration of Medicaid eligibility to the hard working community of Micronesians and Marshallese in the United States is a rectification of an injustice endured by this community for more than 20 years, when their eligibility was summarily pulled out from them. Health care is a right, and restoration of Medicaid eligibility will bring Pacific Islanders one step closer to health care equity” pointed out Dr. Winston Wong, Chair and Acting CEO of NCAPIP.

The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians also welcomed Congressional action to support our economy, public health and education in this time of COVID crisis.

NCAPIP Lauds President-elect Biden’s Effort to Battle COVID-19

The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP) applauds the decisive action President-elect Biden announced today in establishing the COVID-19 task force in anticipation of the immediate work that needs to take place on the first day of the Biden/Harris administration. The task force, co-chaired by Drs. Marcella Nunez-Smith, Vivek Murthy and David Kessler, will bring the necessary experience, scientific and clinical knowledge that will enable our country to face the public health challenge of our generation.


Dr. Winston Wong, Chair and Acting CEO of NCAPIP reacted to the announcement, “President-elect Biden is assembling an All Star team of public health leaders for the COVID-19 task force, and the National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians will pledge its total support to its efforts. We stand committed to fight for the health of not only Asian Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian communities, but with every community devastated by the social, medical and economic impact of COVID-19.”

COVID-19 Data for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders Reported as of June 29, 2020

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NCAPIP Joins Community Leaders Condeming Discrimination

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World Journal 1 July 2020 article covering NCAPIP efforts. 華人社區抗疫聯盟 譴責川普歧視言論

Read article here (Chinese):
LINK

"華人社區抗疫聯盟於630日午間在東華醫院門前舉行集會,譴責總統川普的歧視和分裂言論,強調促進跨文化的共同價值,以克服「新型冠狀病毒」(COVID-19)疫情危機的影響。"
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Congratulations, Dreamers!

The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians wishes individuals who are protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and their supporters a hearty congratulations on the announcement that the Supreme Court has found the Trump’s administration attempt to roll back DACA “arbitrary and capricious”. Thus, the Supreme Court has decided for now, individuals covered under DACA do so under full protection of the law.

While this is not a permanent resolution, it provides our communities with relief from oppressive immigration policies that threaten their health and livelihood. Thousands of DACA young people are a vital part of our healthcare workforce who provide critical services to our linguistically and culturally isolated communities. Moreover, the 800,000 “Dreamers” contribute to our country as vital contributors to education, commerce, and innovation. NCAPIP is proud to have been one of the organizations that signed an Amicus brief, defending the continuance of DACA.

NCAPIP Letter to House Ways and Means Committee Addressing COVID-19 Disparities

The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP) submitted this statement to the Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Included in the letter were data that showcased the COVID-19 disparities in Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, as well as the lack of demographic data collection in many states. The letter also included a multitude of recommendations around culturally competent, linguistically appropriate contact tracing, workforce diversity, and COVID-19 in-language messaging.

The CDC’s interim guidance on COVID-19 contact tracing, issued on May 15, 2020, states:

Culturally and linguistically diverse minority populations are growing in the United States. These populations include racial and ethnic minorities, members of tribal nations, immigrants (i.e., those born outside the United States) and refugees. They may be at higher risk for COVID-19 or worse health outcomes due to a number of reasons including living conditions, work circumstances, underlying health conditions, and limited access to care.

It is important that case investigations and contact tracing are conducted in a culturally appropriate manner, which includes meaningfully engaging community representatives from affected communities, collaborating with community-serving organizations, respecting the cultural practices in the community, and taking into consideration the social, economic and immigration contexts in which these communities live and work.


Currently, CDC contact tracing information is only available in English.

The statement notes that physicians from racial and ethnic and other medically underserved communities can be credible and trusted spokespersons to help educate communities about COVID-19 contact tracing. NCAPIP recommends health departments partner with local medical societies, state medical associations, and racial and ethnic physician organizations to conduct community education about COVID-19 contact tracing.

With the majority of ambulatory care visits being made to small and solo physician practices coupled with their value to vulnerable communities, small practices lack the type of federal support that benefits hospitals, large mainstream practices, and health systems. NCAPIP calls for funding and technical support to be more targeted towards these essential community providers, particularly in response to COVID-19 disparities.

To read the statement: Click Here

COVID-19 Treatments Must Work for Communities of Color

Washington, D.C. -- The Alliance of Multicultural Physicians (the Alliance) urged FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn and members of Congress in a letter to make diversity in clinical trials a greater priority in order to address disparities in COVID-19 cases and deaths in racial/ethnic minority communities, and to address a longstanding lack of diverse participation in clinical trials. The letter came within weeks of an FDA stakeholder call on COVID-19 with the Alliance and other medical groups that advocate for vulnerable populations.

“As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, a bright light has recently been shown on the health disparities that have always existed in America,” said Dr. Oliver Brooks, President of the National Medical Association (NMA).  What the world is witnessing is that Black, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Asian patients are severely overrepresented among those who have suffered the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19.”

Data from the 40 states that collect race and ethnicity data show that White Americans are dying from COVID-19 at a rate of 22.7 per 100,000  in the population, whereas African Americans die at a rate 54.6 deaths per 100,000, Hispanic Americans at a rate of 24.9 deaths per 100,000, and Asian Americans at 24.3 deaths per 100,000.  Though the data  are sparse for Native Americans, in New Mexico they die from the COVID-19 disease at a rate that is eight times that of the white population, and in Arizona they die at a rate that is five times that of all of others in the population. For Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, the available data in ten states show percentages of COVID-19 cases and deaths that are two to three times greater than their percentage of the population.
The letter, addressed also to the heads of the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, states that the majority of approved drug products come with an FDA disclaimer that there is insufficient availability of data to determine effective response in racial-ethnic minority patients due to lack of participants during testing. That problem is often compounded by a high prevalence of the disease in the same minority patients for which the product is indicated for use. "In these difficult times our most marginalized communities remain at the greatest risk for health disparities. COVID-19 has demonstrated what our communities already know, we need to be as One to end health disparities resulting from non inclusion and policies of invisibility in healthcare," said Dr. Brian Thompson, board member of the Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP). "We appreciate FDA efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in all aspects of medical care."

The Alliance, which includes five national physician associations (AAIP, NMA, NHMA, ABC,  and the National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians) acknowledged the FDA and its Office of Minority Health and Health Equity for “its leadership and efforts to encourage diversity in clinical trials, especially with COVID-19 exacerbating and highlighting the health disparities that exists in the United States. Now is the time to support programs to increase clinical trial participation of investigators and participants to reflect the current population of the United States,” said Dr. Elena Rios, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association. In its letter, the Alliance recommended the FDA provide “clear guidance to all sponsors of medical products directed at COVID-19 to assure inclusion that provides the bases for clinically meaningful data to address the needs of a diverse America.”

Members of the Alliance took note that the path to achieving diverse, reflective clinical trials would take more than regulatory efforts.“An additional focus must be on ensuring that overall or main clinical trial principal investigators are from diverse racial and ethnic groups such as black and Hispanic/LatinX investigators,” Dr. Michelle Albert, President of the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC). “The latter represents a key upstream component of increasing patient diversity in clinical trials and also improving on current clinical trial strategies and questions. "

The group pledged a continuing effort to address disparities in medicine beyond the duration of the pandemic.  “Our country is at a critical juncture on how to move confidently and judiciously to address racial injustice, which permeates every aspect of our social and civic lives,” said Dr. Winston Wong, President and Chair of NCAPIP.  “Racial equity must also guide our process of evaluating and approving medical therapy for our communities, especially those that have dealt with generations of inequity.”

NCAPIP Stands with the African American Community and Denounces Police Brutality and Murder

The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP) stands in unity with the African American community, and all communities standing for justice and fairness, in denouncing the murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police force.   His death is the latest example of the reprehensible, historical persecution of communities of color and marginalized people.  As physicians who stand for the access and care for our APINH communities, we are starkly aware of the inequality and injustices faced by racial and national minorities.   The opportunity and privilege that we hold as physicians to the American people also commands our responsibility to stand up for racial justice and healing.

Healthcare Providers: Equip Your Patients with Sound Information on Corona Virus

Washington, D.C. January 31, 2020 - The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP) stands solidly in support of WHO recommendations in addressing the threat of 2019nCoV (“Corona”) viral spread.  In face of this public health emergency we urge all health care providers to be equipped to provide culturally sensitive and language appropriate information to patients and communities at large.  Given the origin of the epidemic appears to be from Wuhan, China, there is likely to be additional concern for individuals who have recently traveled from that region.  At the same time, it is important to be mindful of incidental or implicit bias of individuals of Chinese ethnicity, nationality or origin.  NCAPIP upholds the mission of providing quality care and access to our immigrant communities, and urges all health care providers to uphold principles of patient centeredness, humane and respectful care as we confront the challenge of the corona virus.   Community based physicians are trusted sources of care and referral and we support their practices during this time of uncertainty.   We urge common sense and practical safeguards against the spread of infectious and respiratory disease, and for everyone to seek medical care immediately if they have a fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Centigrade) and are experiencing respiratory symptoms.

Health Care Priorities For A COVID-19 Stimulus Bill - Health Affairs Blog

Health Care Priorities For A COVID-19 Stimulus Bill: Recommendations To The Administration, Congress, And Other Federal, State And Local Leaders From Public Health, Medical, Policy And Legal Experts

"With nationwide community-spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and extreme volatility in the economic markets, Congressional action is necessary and appropriate to help keep the United States healthy and to avoid financial calamity. Doing so will require significant financial investment, legislative and executive action, and the full participation of all segments of American society — government, the private sector, and individual citizens…"

Read blog post here: Health Affairs Blog 12 March 2020

Healthcare Providers: Equip Your Patients with Sound Information on Corona Virus

Washington, D.C. January 31, 2020 - The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP) stands solidly in support of WHO recommendations in addressing the threat of 2019nCoV (“Corona”) viral spread.  In face of this public health emergency we urge all health care providers to be equipped to provide culturally sensitive and language appropriate information to patients and communities at large.  Given the origin of the epidemic appears to be from Wuhan, China, there is likely to be additional concern for individuals who have recently traveled from that region.  At the same time, it is important to be mindful of incidental or implicit bias of individuals of Chinese ethnicity, nationality or origin.  NCAPIP upholds the mission of providing quality care and access to our immigrant communities, and urges all health care providers to uphold principles of patient centeredness, humane and respectful care as we confront the challenge of the corona virus.   Community based physicians are trusted sources of care and referral and we support their practices during this time of uncertainty.   We urge common sense and practical safeguards against the spread of infectious and respiratory disease, and for everyone to seek medical care immediately if they have a fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Centigrade) and are experiencing respiratory symptoms.