The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) was formed in 1987 by CHCs primarily serving medically underserved AAs and NHPIs. The goal of these organizations was to create a national voice to advocate for the unique and diverse health needs of AA and NHPI communities and the community health providers that served those needs.

Since that time, we have advocated for policies and programs that improve the provision of health care services that are community driven, financially affordable, linguistically accessible, and culturally appropriate.

Vision
To be a national leader and critical voice for Asian American (AA), Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) community health centers (CHCs) and consumers, ensuring that our communities have better access to affordable, high quality, and culturally and linguistically proficient health care.

Mission
AAPCHO is dedicated to promoting advocacy, collaboration, and leadership that improves the health status and access of AAs and NHPIs within the United States, its territories, and freely associated states, primarily through our member CHCs.

**Updated as of 9/3/2020**

ADVOCACY WORK

Policy Areas
AAPCHO’s advocacy efforts fall within five main policy initiatives: promoting the Patient-Centered Medical Home model, implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, eliminating health disparities, advocating for Health Professional Shortage Areas & Medically Underserved Areas/Populations, and supporting the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Current Initiatives
AAPCHO advocates for programs, and policies and legislation that improves the health status and access of medically underserved Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AA&NHPI).
AAPCHO believes that health care services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate to AA&NHPI populations, are crucial to improving AA&NHPI health status and eliminating health disparities in this population.
Partnerships with various organizations and coalitions help to ensure that legislation and national programs also strive toward that end.

FOCUS AREAS
AAPCHO’s efforts fall within five main focus areas: Health Disparities, Technical Assistance and Training, Research Capacity Building, Patient-Centered Health Outcomes, and Health Information Technology.

Current Projects
Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AA&NHPIs) are disproportionately affected by various diseases and health conditions including diabetes, hepatitis B, and HIV/AIDS. Community health centers and other community-based organizations often lack the resources, knowledge, and culturally and linguistically appropriate programs to serve these populations.

AAPCHO’s current projects aim to fill this need by developing health education and promotion programs, and by providing technical assistance, training, data and resources to organizations so they may help lessen the burden of these diseases in AA&NHPI communities.

**Updated as of 9/3/2020**