Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) is, celebrated each May in the United States and provides an opportunity to recognize the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. AAPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent—including East, Southeast and South Asia—and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
Baylor College of Medicine will mark AAPI with several activities and highlight Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders trailblazers in medicine and science.
2023 Observation Events
The following events take place in celebration of AAPI heritage month in 2023:
AAPI Mental Health Community Panel - May. 10, 7 p.m.
In observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander History Month the Asia Society in partnership with the Office of Community Engagement & Health Equity is hosting an in-person mental health community panel to unpack and understand issues around AAPI access to mental health care, particularly urgent due to the lasting impacts of anti-Asian racism and hate. Join Baylor College of Medicine's Dr. Sophia Banu, Dr. Phuong Nguyen, Dr. Peggy Yang, Dr. Rose Yang, and Delphine Lee with facilitator Dr. John Saunders as they examine these issues, including resiliency and the need to build a community to address shared challenges. This is an open-forum discussion, and questions and comments from attendees are strongly encouraged. Register online.
Resources to Support the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander Communities
Recently, there has been an increase in hatred and violence toward Asian Americans and those of Asian identity, descent and appearance. There were more than 3,795 anti-Asian racist incidents in the United States in during 2022 alone. This increase is largely owed to the xenophobia and anti-Asian sentiment surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Solidarity with the Asian community is needed now more than ever.
Baylor College of Medicine Resources
- Position statement on 'Strengthening Our Commitment to Racial Justice to Improve Public Health
- Student Groups: Association for Graduate Student Diversity, Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association, Chinese Students & Scholars Association, Taiwanese Student and Scholar Association
- Coping with the Challenges of Anti-Asian Discrimination during COVID-19: Pathways Toward Resilience: Presented at the July 2020 BCM Compassionate Conversation
- Integrity Hotline: A confidential and anonymous mechanism for reporting known or suspected improper activity or wrongdoing
- (822) 764-7292
- Web-based reporting
Mental health resources
- Faculty and staff: Visit the Human Resources Employee Assistance Program or call (713) 500-3008 or, outside Houston, 1-866-893-3776.
- Students in all of our schools: Visit WellConnect or call (866) 640-4777, available 24/7.
- Student and House Staff Mental Health Service: Call (713) 798-4881.
- Any member of the BCM Community: Call (866) 342-6892.
Houston Resources
Support the Asian communities by donating, joining or volunteering with the following organizations:
- OCA Greater Houston
- Asian American Health Coalition of the Greater Houston Area
- Chinese Community Center – Houston
National Resources
- HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) released a series of resource guides to provide guidance on best practices to advance cultural competency, language access, and sensitivity toward Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NH/PI) communities in the context of the federal COVID-19 response. The guides were developed by OMH based on input and information gathered through a request for information, a literature review and environmental scan, engagement of community subject matter experts, and a listening session with leaders from AA and NH/PI organizations. In line with the Presidential Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States, this series includes:
- The Language Access Resource Guide: a guide on best practices, strategies, and actions to meet the specific language needs and preferences of AA and NH/PI communities in COVID-19 response activities.
- The Community Engagement Resource Guide: a guide on best practices, strategies, and actions to develop and sustain partnerships with AA and NH/PI community members, community-based organizations, and coalitions to ensure a diversity of voices and perspectives inform and contribute to the creation and implementation of COVID-19 response activities.
- The Data Disaggregation Resource Guide: a guide on best practices, strategies, and actions to improve the collection, use, and reporting of disaggregated data on AA and NH/PI populations related to COVID-19.
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta: Sign the collective statement: stand in solidarity by signing on a community-centered response to violence against Asian American communities. Share resources as you come across them. Offer victims and their families, impacted individuals, and community organizations resources such as mental health services, immigration legal services, translation services, fundraising, childcare, food assistance, etc.
- National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians represents Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander physicians committed to the advancement of the health and well-being of their patients and communities. NCAPIP believes in shaping health care in America to meet this shared American goal of optimal health for all.
- National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum: Donate to the NAPAWF, whose mission is to build collective power with AAPI women and girls to gain full agency over "our lives, our families, and our communities."
- Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association: APAMSA is a national organization of medical and pre-medical students committed to addressing the unique health challenges of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.
- Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) is dedicated to the advancement of Asian heritage scientists and engineers in education and employment so that they can achieve their full career potential.
- Stop Asian Hate: Within the past year, over 100 acts of anti-Asian hate/racism were reported in Texas. Report incidents of hate, read the Texas report, donate to stop Asian hate and learn more about how Stop Asian Hate is responding to xenophobia and bigotry.
- 8 actions you can take to fight anti-Asian violence | PBS NewsHour
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice, a national network with a presence in Atlanta, defends those impacted by hate crimes and ensures that they have proper legal representation. Their work empowers Asian Americans and creates a more just America for all.
- Association for Asian American Studies conducts research and education on the causes and solutions to Asian racism.
