The Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Population Profile provides detailed data summaries about many chronic diseases, conditions, and related factors impacting Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) health in the United States.
This page provides an overview of the NHPI population and the non-medical drivers of health that influence NHPI health status and outcomes. Many factors that affect health happen outside the healthcare system. Where people live, learn, work, and grow up all play an important role in health status and health outcomes. These are known as non-medical drivers of health. They include things like income, education, safe housing, access to healthy food, and reliable healthcare. By understanding these broader influences, we can address the root causes of chronic disease and implement innovative, evidence-based interventions that enhance the well-being of NHPI people and support better health for all Americans. Visit Healthy People 2030 to learn more about non-medical drivers of health.
All data on this page are sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates as of February 2026 and reflect estimates for non-Hispanic populations, unless otherwise specified. For more detailed population estimates and 2020 Census information, please visit data.census.gov.
Data Collection and Reporting for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Populations
Specific health data for NHPI populations is often limited. Federal data collection and reporting practices have often combined Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander data. When possible, data for the Asian American and NHPI populations are reported separately. Practices that support the collection and reporting of data by more granular groups, such as the standards in the Office of Management and Budget’s revised Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity, can help reveal the unique health status and needs within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, which include dozens of distinct ethnic groups that speak over 100 different languages and dialects.
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Population Information
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders are people having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands, including people who identify as Native Hawaiian, Chamorro, Samoan, Palauan, Tahitian, Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Saipanese, and Yapese.
In 2024, an estimated 566,450 people in the United States identified as non-Hispanic NHPI alone, representing about 0.2% of the total U.S. population. In 2024, the ten states with the largest population of NHPI people were:
- Hawaii (9.5%)
- Alaska (1.5%)
- Utah (0.9%)
- Washington (0.7%)
- Nevada (0.7%)
- Arkansas (0.4%)
- Oregon (0.4%)
- California (0.3%)
- Iowa (0.2%)
- Arizona (0.2%)
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2023 the average life expectancy at birth for NHPI people was not produced due to limited race and ethnicity data (the life expectancy for all races was 78.4 years). In 2023, the five leading causes of death among NHPI people were heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, diabetes, and stroke.
In 2024, 18% of NHPI adults reported being in fair or poor health.
In 2024, an estimated 89% of NHPI people had health insurance coverage, compared to nearly 92% of the total U.S. population. Nearly 12% of NHPI people had no health insurance coverage, compared to 8% of the total U.S. population.
How does health insurance coverage impact overall health?
A lack of health insurance can prevent individuals from seeking out routine and preventive healthcare services. This could delay medical attention when needed or may require or increase the use of emergency services for meeting healthcare needs, which can be more expensive. People without insurance are less likely to have a primary care provider, and they may not be able to afford the healthcare services and medications they need.
In 2024, an estimated 44% of NHPI people age 5 years and older in the United States spoke a language other than English at home with about 12% speaking English less than “very well.”
How does language fluency impact our overall health?
People with limited English proficiency may have trouble receiving, understanding, and following medical advice or instructions for their conditions. When a patient feels that they can’t communicate with a provider because of language or cultural barriers, it can lead to receiving inadequate health services or avoiding care altogether.
In 2024, an estimated 87% of NHPI people age 25 years or older had a high school diploma or higher (87% for males and 88% for females), compared to nearly 90% of the total U.S. population. About 19% of NHPI people had a bachelor's degree or higher (18% for males and 20% for females), compared to 36% of the total U.S. population.
How does education impact overall health?
Access to quality education plays a significant role in health outcomes. Education helps people understand health information and make informed decisions about their health and use of the healthcare system. People with lower educational attainment may have difficulty securing stable, well-paying jobs which can make it harder for them to afford and access health insurance and quality care.
In 2024, the estimated median 12-month income for NHPI households was $81,811, compared to $80,734 for all U.S. households. Nearly 17% of NHPI families experienced poverty, compared to about 13% of U.S. families. The unemployment rate for NHPI people was about 7%, compared to 5% for the total U.S. population ages 16 or older.
How does economic stability impact overall health?
Economic stability includes key issues, such as poverty, employment, and housing stability. People living in poverty are less likely to have access to health care, healthy food, stable housing, and opportunities for physical activity. These disparities mean people living in poverty or experiencing economic instability are more likely to be diagnosed with and experience worse outcomes from preventable diseases.
Suggested Map Citation: "Hispanic or Latino Origin by Race." American Community Survey, ACS 5-Year Estimates Detailed Tables, Table B03002, https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT5Y2024.B03002?q=United+States&g=010XX00US,$0400000&y=2024. Accessed on 02 Feb 2026.
Date Last Reviewed: March 2026