AAPI Adults Express Concerns Over Health and Finances Amid Discrimination

A recent poll conducted by AAPI Data and the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research highlights significant concerns among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults regarding health and finances. This survey, part of the Amplify AAPI Monthly Survey, reveals that personal finances and health issues are primary stress factors, with many participants also worried about discrimination. Notably, 25% of respondents reported experiencing a hate crime or incident in the past year.

The survey indicates high confidence levels in conventional medical professionals among AAPI adults. Approximately 90% expressed some confidence in doctors, nurses, scientists, and medical researchers, with about 60% expressing extreme or high confidence. In contrast, confidence in alternative medicine practitioners was at 58%, while trust in the federal government for public health matters stood at 44%.

Trust in various health-related professions varies, with AAPI adults showing the most trust in doctors and nurses (80%), pharmacists (74%), and mental health counselors (58%). Trust levels were lower for federal public health officials (27%), alternative medicine practitioners (27%), health insurance providers (22%), and hospital executives (20%).

Regarding federal health policy preferences, a significant majority (74%) supported restrictions on processed foods with added sugars or dyes. Opinions were divided on revising federal dietary guidelines to emphasize meats, dairy, and fats, with 31% in favor and 26% opposed. Changes to vaccine policies faced general opposition, with more respondents against them than in support.

Alternative medicine usage is prevalent, with 79% of respondents using such methods in the past year. The most common were dietary supplements (62%) and probiotics (46%), while non-dietary practices like mindfulness techniques (32%) and movement exercises (21%) also saw significant use. Users were motivated by recommendations from medical professionals or social networks, while non-users cited concerns about effectiveness, safety, or costs.

Healthcare affordability remains a major concern, with about half of the respondents expressing worry over treatment costs. Around a third are concerned about how seriously treatments are considered by providers or the risk of medical records being shared with immigration enforcement.

Mental health findings reveal that 75% of AAPI adults cite personal finances and 74% cite health concerns as stress factors, with 59% mentioning stress from personal relationships. Discrimination is a prominent issue, with 48% identifying it as a source of stress, and 10% having faced hate crimes in the last year. While frequent discrimination affects a small percentage, most have experienced it at some point. Additionally, around 60% anticipate racial or ethnic discrimination in the future. The study, conducted from March 23-30, 2026, involved 1,228 adults aged 18 and older, with interviews in multiple languages, and has a margin of error of ±4.5 percentage points.