HEALTH

HEALTH

Health Statement. Through the 2018 Filipino Policy Symposium, participants developed a California state-wide policy platform focused on eight major areas: Gender Justice, Housing, Health, Community Development and Small Businesses, Immigration, Workers Rights, Human Rights and Criminal Justice, and Education. This platform shares the lived realities experienced by the California Filipino population and their proposed policy recommendations. The 2019 Filipino Policy Platform can be utilized by policy makers, community based organizations, and the larger public as an educational resource to develop policies and further engagement with the Filipino community.

2018

The Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies and the UC Davis Asian American Studies department holds intellectual control of these recordings. Usage is restricted for educational, non-commercial purposes only.

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English

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Filipinos are one of the largest ethnic groups in California as well as in the United States, yet there is a lack of recent disaggregated data around physical and mental health issues. Due to ideas around the model minority, it is assumed that Asian Americans in general do not experience health disparities, developing a lack of attention towards understanding the health inequalities impacting recently immigrated Asian communities. (NIMHD 2013) For instance, while Filipinos have a higher rate of insurance amongst the AAPINH population, many insurance policies do not cover mental health services. As a result, Filipinos have the least amount of access to mental health programs. In addition, many health programs also lack culturally appropriate services such as language access. Due to current political events, there is also higher rates of suicide in youth, and increased stress due to immigration related threats and gentrification. BCFS proposes the following recommendations: Community-engaged, intergenerational, and culturally appropriate health programs that provide preventative health measures such as emotional support, health screenings, and other services. Implementation of large-scale surveys focused on mental and physical health in the Filipino community. Culturally- appropriate trainings for educators, social workers, and counselors to better serve youth and other community members with mental health issues. Creation of a mental health network for the Filipino population to destigmatize mental health.