While the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency has ended, COVID-19 remains a public health threat and a priority for the federal government. Response and recovery efforts must continue to meet the needs of diverse communities. To support these efforts, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) led a Departmental effort to develop guidance on best practices for culturally and linguistically appropriate response activities. OMH is pleased to announce the release of the Advancing Equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities in COVID-19 Response Efforts resource guides.
The resource guides were developed in direct response to the Presidential Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NH/PI) people experienced increased acts of hate due to unfounded fears and stigma. The resource guides aim to support the use of best practices to advance cultural competency, language access and sensitivity toward AAs and NH/PIs.
Reflecting valuable input from the AA and NH/PI community, the three resource guides focus on language access, data disaggregation and community engagement. Each guide outlines best practices, strategies and actions and includes examples and resources.
OMH invites federal, state, and local agencies; community organizations; and other partners to use the resource guides to inform COVID-19 and other public health emergency response and recovery efforts. Together, we can take the lessons learned from the pandemic and make progress on advancing equity for AA and NH/PI communities.