Asian American Communities Report Delaying Care Due to Cost, Recent Immigration Policies

Why It Matters

The data highlight a widening disparity that threatens public‑health outcomes and places pressure on clinicians and policymakers to address cost and immigration‑related access barriers for a fast‑growing population.

Key Takeaways

• 1 in 12 Asian Americans have chronic hepatitis B.
• Only 40% screened for hepatitis B; 45% vaccinated.
• 15% delayed care due to cost; higher among uninsured.
• 21% of non‑citizens fear deportation when seeking care.
• Diabetes screening low for BMI 23‑24.9 despite USPSTF guidance.

Pulse Analysis

The Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA/NHPI) population faces a unique set of health challenges that have been under‑documented in mainstream research. The recent survey, conducted in September 2025 and weighted for demographic variables, provides a rare, statistically robust snapshot of 1,027 adults across the United States. By focusing on hepatitis B, diabetes, and tuberculosis—conditions with higher prevalence in AA/NHPI groups—the study offers actionable insight into where screening protocols fall short and how socioeconomic factors intersect with disease risk.

Key findings reveal a troubling disconnect between recommended clinical guidelines and real‑world practice. Only 40% of participants reported hepatitis B screening, and just 45% received the vaccine, despite CDC calls for universal testing and immunization. Diabetes screening rates lag for individuals with a BMI of 23‑24.9 kg/m², even though USPSTF advises earlier testing for Asian Americans. Cost remains a dominant barrier: 15% of all respondents delayed care because of expense, a figure that spikes to 30% among Medicaid recipients. Immigration anxiety compounds the problem, with 21% of non‑citizens fearing detention or deportation, and even U.S. citizens expressing similar concerns, indicating a broader climate of mistrust.

Clinicians can mitigate these gaps by adopting culturally competent outreach and adhering to AA/NHPI‑specific screening thresholds. Systemic solutions—such as expanding Medicaid eligibility, reinforcing ACA protections, and decoupling health services from immigration enforcement—are essential to restore confidence in the healthcare system. As the AA/NHPI demographic continues to grow, policymakers and providers must prioritize equitable access to prevent a widening public‑health divide that could strain both community health outcomes and the broader healthcare infrastructure.