The 2026 APAICS Health Summit brought together policymakers, healthcare industry leaders, and advocates to address health disparities across Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. The panel, titled "From Guam to Flushing: Mapping Health Disparities Across Our Communities," explored how geography, cultural sensitivity, infrastructure gaps, and workforce limitations compound to create inequities in healthcare access and outcomes for these diverse populations.

Remote locations and the healthcare access challenge

The panel included diverse voices such as Congresswoman Jill Takuda, representing Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, and Congresswoman Amua Amata Coleman Radewagen of American Samoa. Both highlighted the heavy toll that remote locations take on healthcare delivery.

Congresswoman Takuda discussed the impact of natural disasters on Hawaii, emphasizing that emergencies further exacerbate existing gaps in healthcare infrastructure. From mental health challenges to physical health risks like infections from standing water or mold, these disasters underscore the lack of culturally tailored healthcare systems. Takuda strongly advocated for integrating AANHPI community needs into healthcare policy, citing the necessity of culturally sensitive programs to build trust and improve access.

Similarly, Congresswoman Radewagen reflected on the outdated state of healthcare facilities like the LBJ Tropical Medical Center in American Samoa. She pointed to the financial and logistical obstacles of modernizing healthcare infrastructure on smaller islands with limited populations. Telehealth was acknowledged as a partial solution, but Radewagen was clear: digital care cannot replace the need for updated physical facilities.

Table: Major barriers to healthcare in remote AANHPI regions

Barrier	Example	Potential Solutions
Geographic isolation	Limited healthcare facilities on islands like American Samoa	Improved telehealth services paired with modernized infrastructure
Workforce shortages	Short supply of specialized care providers	Recruiting and retaining providers via education incentives
Financial constraints	Lower Medicare reimbursement rates	Federal support on healthcare equity policies

Cultural gaps in healthcare delivery

End-of-life care and clinical research are two particular areas where cultural mismatch often hinders progress for AANHPI communities. Just Bri Chowry, Senior Legislative Counsel at Compassion and Choices, described how many healthcare systems prioritize individual autonomy, while AANHPI communities often make decisions collectively within family structures. This misalignment discourages trust and limits engagement with end-of-life care options.

Language barriers, historical trauma, and immigration-related fears compound these challenges. Such obstacles make culturally competent care—which incorporates cultural traditions, languages, and collective decision-making—essential in meeting the needs of these communities.

Bridging gaps in research and representation

Savine D’Costa from Biogen highlighted the severe underrepresentation of AANHPI voices in medical research. Mistrust in the healthcare system, stemming from historical injustices, acts as a primary barrier. She noted that this trust deficit deters participation not only in research but also in preventive healthcare services.

Localization is key to addressing these issues. D’Costa emphasized that embedding community voices early in research design, rather than treating them as an afterthought, builds sustainable trust. This means engaging with local faith groups, community organizations, and cultural leaders to co-create strategies based on the unique values and needs of specific communities.

Innovations in workforce and private-sector partnerships

Alice Lynn Fabiano from Johnson & Johnson underscored the looming healthcare workforce crisis, with over 11 million new workers needed globally by 2030. In the U.S., rural AANHPI communities face the brunt of workforce shortages. Nurses, doctors, and specialists are particularly scarce.

Fabiano noted that partnerships between the private sector and local organizations offer a promising way forward. For example, Johnson & Johnson works to train healthcare providers in cultural competence and to build local leadership. Programs are tailored to specific geographies and communities to ensure their relevance and sustainability. Scaling solutions that originate within communities, rather than imposing generic models, ensures lasting impact.

Technology’s role in healthcare delivery

Telehealth emerged as a recurring theme throughout the summit discussions. While it provides a more accessible option for underserved regions, speakers made clear that technology alone cannot solve systemic issues like outdated infrastructure or cultural insensitivity.

Telehealth must be part of a broader strategy that includes:

• Building modern healthcare facilities.
• Ensuring affordable internet access for remote regions.
• Training providers in cultural competence to bridge the digital divide.

Practical takeaways

1. Policy support is critical: Federal initiatives like the Territories Health Equity Act, co-sponsored by Congresswoman Radewagen, aim to eliminate Medicaid caps and provide territories with equitable funding. Such measures are vital to leveling the playing field for territories like American Samoa.

2. Cultural competence is foundational: Patient trust cannot be achieved without integrating cultural values into care provision.

3. Community-driven solutions work best: Success stories from the Johnson & Johnson Foundation and Compassion and Choices highlight the importance of grassroots partnerships that are co-designed with local communities.

4. Telehealth is a complement, not a replacement: While beneficial, telehealth cannot replace high-quality, in-person care supported by modern infrastructure.

Conclusion

The 2026 APAICS Health Summit highlighted how geography, cultural differences, and systemic inequities shape healthcare disparities in AANHPI communities. Bridging these gaps requires both policy reform and innovative solutions from public and private sectors. From co-creating community-specific care models to advocating for equitable funding, a multifaceted approach is essential. Conversations like the one at this summit are just the beginning of addressing these deep-rooted challenges.