June 3, 2021 – Updated October 12, 2021
Asian American and Pacific Islander Health Awareness
The Asian American and Pacific Islander community is one of the highest growing population groups in the United States. It is estimated that the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) community accounted for 5.6% or 18.2 million of the US population. (Health Disparities Among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, 2020) The AAPI community is diverse with representation from over 30 countries and ethnic groups. Each of these smaller groups has its own unique health care needs. Several disease conditions found in the AAPI population include cancer (cervical and liver), mental health issues, hepatitis B, diabetes, and kidney disease.
Cancer is thought to be the leading cause of death among for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The top two cancers for this population are cervical cancer and liver cancer. It is believed that one of the reasons for the higher rate of cervical cancer among AAPI women is the lower rate of screening for this cancer. As for liver cancer, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders tend to have a higher rate of liver cancer as a result of hepatitis B infection and delayed screenings for cancer. For both types of cancer, early screening and treatment may contribute to better outcomes for these patients. Hepatitis B screening and immunizations can also assist with lowering the occurrence of liver cancer among these patients.
While not all AAPI are at higher risk for diabetes, certain subgroups of AAPI (Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders located in California and Hawaii) are at higher risk for diabetes. Many of these individuals do not know that they even have diabetes. Diabetes can lead to kidney failure for these individuals if they are not treated.
Mental illness is the unspoken condition in the AAPI community. Oftentimes, those in the AAPI community view discussing mental illness as a sign of weakness. Symptoms are displayed through physical symptoms rather than discussed. Asian American women ages 65-84 have the highest rate of suicide of all racial and ethnic groups. (NIMHD | The Center for Asian Health Engages Communities in Research to Reduce Asian American Health Disparities, n.d.)
Barriers to health care access for AAPI include but are not limited to challenges with communication due to language, lack of health insurance, differences in cultural beliefs and cultures, and lack of familiarity with the Western healthcare system. Increasing the public's awareness of the health issues Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are facing and overcoming these barriers are imperative to improving the wellbeing of this community.
There are several steps you can take to promote the health of your Asian American and Pacific Islander beneficiaries. Encourage your patients to schedule annual wellness visits and health screenings. Evaluate your patients' mental well-being during medical visits. Educate patients on healthy habits such as exercising, and eating a well-balanced diet including foods that are low in salt, fat, and cholesterol. Talk to your patients about vaccinations and encourage them to schedule them if they are eligible.
Type of Service |
HCPCS Code |
Notes |
Link on CMS Medicare Preventive Services website |
---|---|---|---|
Depression Screening |
HCPCS code G0444 |
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Screening for Cervical Cancer |
HCPCS code G0476 |
|
Screening for Cervical Cancer with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Tests |
Screening Pelvic Examinations (includes a clinical breast examination) Screening Pap tests |
Screening Pelvic Exam Screening Pap test |
|
Screening Pelvic Examinations (includes a clinical breast examination) |
Hepatitis B Screening |
HCPCS code G0499 CPT codes 86704 |
|
|
Hepatitis B Shot and Administration |
CPT codes 90739, 90740, 90743, 90744, 90746, 90747 HCPCS code G0010 |
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Diabetes Screening |
HCPCS code 82947 |
|
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Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program |
HCPCS codes G9873, G9874, G9875, G9876, G9877, G9878, G9879, G9880, G9881, G9882, G9883, G9884, G9885, G9890, G9891 |
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Visit the CMS Preventive Services website to learn more about other Medicare-covered services.
For More Information:
- US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health website
- CMS Office of Minority Health website
- CMS Mapping Medicare Disparities website
- Medicare.gov Your Guide to Medicare Preventive Services
- Cognitive Assessment & Care Plan Services | CMS
- MLN Booklet (MLN909032) December 2020 – Screening Pap Tests & Pelvic Exams (cms.gov)
- National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Screening for Cervical Cancer with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (210.2.1) (cms.gov)
- National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Screening Pap Smears and Pelvic Examinations for Early Detection of Cervical or Vaginal Cancer (210.2) (cms.gov)
- National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Screening for Cervical Cancer with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (210.2.1) (cms.gov)
- National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Screening for Depression in Adults (210.9) (cms.gov)
- MLN Matters® Number: MM12230 Waiver of Coinsurance and Deductible for Hepatitis B Preventive Service Vaccine Code, Section 4104 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (the Affordable Care Act), Removal of Barriers to Preventive Services in Medicare
- National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Screening for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection (210.6) (cms.gov)
References
- Asian American and Pacific Islanders and Cancer | Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. (2018, May 23). Asian American and Pacific Islanders and Cancer. https://www.edi.nih.gov/blog/communities/asian-american-and-pacific-islanders-and-cancer
- Cancer and Asian Americans - The Office of Minority Health. (2020, March 13). minorityhealth.hhs.gov.https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=46
- Critical Issues Facing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders | The Administration | Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Critical Issues Facing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/eop/aapi/data/critical-issues
- NIMHD | The Center for Asian Health Engages Communities in Research to Reduce Asian American Health Disparities. National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/news-events/features/training-workforce-dev/center-asian-health.html
- Race/ethnicity - Kidney disease risk factors - American Kidney Fund.… Race/Ethnicity - Kidney Disease Risk Factors. https://www.kidneyfund.org/prevention/are-you-at-risk/race-ethnicity.html