State Department of Health Convenes Expert Panel on Race-Based Violence Facing Asian American New Yorkers

As Part of Minority Health Month, Event Features AAPI Community Leaders to Discuss the Public Health Impact of Pandemic-fueled Discrimination on the Asian Community

New Yorkers can Register for the Free, Virtual Event by Emailing OMHHDP@health.ny.gov

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 26, 2022) – The New York State Department of Health today announced it will convene an expert panel on the public health issues impacting the Asian-American Pacific Island (AAPI) community in New York. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian New Yorkers continue to suffer health and economic consequences as well as increased discrimination and violence based on their race and ethnicity. In recognition of Minority Health Month, the Department invites New Yorkers to attend this free, virtual event on Wednesday, April 27.

"In order to address the race-based violence facing our AAPI community members, we must openly acknowledge and discuss it," said State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. "I invite all New Yorkers to attend this important dialogue and learn about the discrimination being experienced by Asian New Yorkers – which has serious public health consequences. The State Department of Health is committed to supporting New York's Asian community in every way possible – as well as the organizations who provide the health-based services needed now more than ever."

Hosted by the Department's Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Prevention, the event will include an expert panel comprised of AAPI community leaders. The panelists will share their expertise as well as learnings, findings, and recommendations based on their Study of Racial Disparities (SORD) – which was funded through the Department. Through SORD, the Department continues to fund leading AAPI agencies to increase access to health and wellness services for Asian New Yorkers.

The virtual event will take place on April 27, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. It will include interpretation in Korean and Mandarin. Information about the event moderator and panelists is below:

    Panel Moderator:

    • Marline Vignier, Regional Minority Health Analyst, HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of Regional Health Operations, Region 2 (NJ, NY, PR, USVI).

    Panelists:

    • Judy Ah-Yune, Director of the Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. (CPC)'s Manhattan Community Services. CPC provides social services to Chinese American, immigrant and low-income families through early childhood education, school-age childcare, youth services, workforce development, senior services, and multi-social services.
    • Gilbert Wu, Program Director of Community Health Services, Chinese- American Planning Council (CPC), assisting community members infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. He has been in his current position since 2021.
    • Peter Kim, Project Coordinator, Korean Community Services (KCS), Since 1973, KCS has provided culturally and linguistically competent services for Korean Americans in the New York City (NYC) metropolitan area, including numerous health programs such as insurance enrollment, free medical screenings, vaccinations, patient navigation services, community outreach, and tobacco cessation. Mr. Kim spearheads research projects including breast cancer, human papillomavirus, and colorectal cancer.

New Yorkers can register for the free, virtual event by emailing OMHHDP@health.ny.gov.

Learn more about the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Prevention here.