To better reflect Washington’s fast-growing Asian American student population, the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) and the Department of Health will begin collecting disaggregated data on Asian American youth. And for the first time, the 2016 survey will allow students to choose from the following Asian subgroups: Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Cambodian.
“We are excited that schools, public health agencies, and community members will have a clearer understanding of the unique needs of Asian American youth,” said Michael Itti, executive director of CAPAA. “The data will support community efforts to achieve equitable access to programs and services related to substance abuse and prevention, anti-bullying, mental health, nutrition, and more.”
School districts across Washington will administer the Healthy Youth Survey in October in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. The survey provides important information about the health of youth in Washington relating to safety and violence, physical activity and diet, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, and related risk and protective factors. The survey allows students to self-identify their race or ethnicity, such as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.
“Disaggregated data will shine a spotlight on the need for culturally- and linguistically-appropriate strategies to address health and safety concerns experienced by AAPI youth, such as e-cigarette and marijuana use, bullying at school, and feelings of depression,” said Elaine Ishihara, director of the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition Advocating Together for Healthy Communities (APICAT).
Data from the 2016 survey is expected to be available in the spring of 2017.
For more information about the Healthy Youth Survey, visit askhys.net.