Asian American Pacific Islanders Mental health and community challenges
The 2024 Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Health Summit, hosted by the Asian American Health Coalition (AAHC), went down at the T.T. and W.F. Chao Foundation’s HOPE Health and Wellness Center on January 19-20. This shindig happens every 3-5 years, and the last one was in 2020 – you know, the online edition because of the pandemic, with a shoutout to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for the tech hookup.
Dr. Beverly Gor, the chair of the summit the planning committee, with Shane Chen and Rogene Gee Calvert handling the logistics and staffing. Big shoutout to the squad representing local health and community organizations – true community vibes!
This squad was from, The Indian American Cancer Network, Ibn Sina Foundation, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Harris Health, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Rice University, Texas Woman’s University, St. John’s School, St. Luke’s Health Care, Texas A & M University, and UT School of Public Health and –others – all on board.

Opening the show, Dr. Andea Caracostis set the stage for two days of knowledge bombs. Krystal Ka’ai, from the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, dropped a virtual greeting. Then, Dr. Asim Shah, the Mental Health Maestro from Baylor College of Medicine, gave the lowdown on AAPI mental health.
The summit rolled out 11 breakout sessions on family drama, community vibes, older adults’ needs, and youth struggles. Topics ranged from cross-generational conflict to body image issues among AAPI youth. A total of 52 speakers and moderators brought the insights, drawing in over 250 participants, both in-person and virtually. It was a solid platform for tackling critical health issues in AAPI communities.
The summit wrapped up on January 20, but the AAHC doesn’t plan to slow down. They’re planning more get-togethers, either face-to-face or on the virtual highway, every quarter. So, keep an eye out for the next round of real talk on AAPI health.
With a total of 52 speakers and moderators, the summit attracted a diverse audience of over 250 participants, both in person and virtually. The event provided a platform for meaningful conversations.
and the sharing of valuable insights to address critical health issues within the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The AAHC plans to continue to coordinate similar meetings in the future either in person or online on a quarterly basis.