Navigating Pacific Islanders through COVID-19
We have our very first billboard displayed by the 405/105 Imperial Hwy Intersection.
We are grateful to have a billboard shown with faces that belong to our Fijian, Chamoru, Hawaiian, Tongan and Samoan Islands. Most especially the face of a community pillar, fierce leader and founder of SoCal PICRT, the late Kawen Young 🕊
This is a reminder to our community that choosing to be vaccinated can be the best thing to offer to your loved ones. We are rich in culture, tradition and we cannot let this virus triumph that.
If you are nearby, stop by to take photos (safely) by the billboard and post to your socials to partake in SoCal PICRT’S gift card giveaway. Please see our Instagram for more details.
Pacific Islanders (PIs) are dying from COVID-19 at the highest rate of all ethnic groups in California. PIs are also at higher risk for COVID-19 death; age-adjusted mortality is 71.0 per 100,000 in Los Angeles County (Report on LA County COVID-19 Data Disaggregated). COVID-19 testing and data collection by race and ethnicity in OC remains a challenge, but hotspot COVID- 19 cities in OC coincide with where PI communities live. The findings highlight the urgent need for more intensive efforts to expand culturally competent testing, treatment, and prevention strategies. Many PIs have underlying health conditions that make them more susceptible to COVID-19. The leading cause of death for PIs in OC is heart disease, and they suffer disproportionately from diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. Additionally, PI culture strongly values family and community. Many cohabitate in multi-generational households making it difficult to isolate and contain the spread of the virus. California is home to the second largest PI population outside of their native countries. This includes four of the top 15 cities in OC with a rapidly growing PI population between 2000 and 2010: Anaheim, Santa Ana, Orange, and Tustin (Census, 2010 & Community of Contrasts report, 2014). This project will strengthen PI channels of communication to benefit the community by increasing knowledge, capacity building, and resource identification regarding PI COVID-19 risk for infection and death.
NAVIGATING PACIFIC HEARTS
The Navigating Pacific Hearts project engaged Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) women in The Heart Truth Program. The project was funded by the Foundation of the National Institute of Health (FNIH) Community Action Program. Pacific Islander Health Partnership (PIHP) and the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine partnered with six NHPI community organizations that were dedicated to raising awareness of women’s risk for heart disease.