Arizona Asian Community News

APCA Launches Project BeeWell Health Survey

Local Nonprofit APCA Launches Project BeeWell, Arizona’s Most Comprehensive Health Survey for AANHPI Communities

Effective: Sunday, October 1st | Phoenix, Arizona

In a monumental stride towards addressing the healthcare needs of Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian communities in Arizona, the local nonprofit organization Asian Pacific Community in Action (APCA) proudly announces the launch of Project BeeWell, a Community Health Resources and Needs Assessment (CHRNA) survey. Set to commence on October 1, 2023, this initiative marks the largest-ever health survey for the AANHPI population in the state.

Families immigrating to Arizona, often through intricate immigration and refugee pathways, encounter a myriad of challenges when seeking meaningful access to healthcare and essential resources while settling into their new homes. In an environment where concerns about job security, inflation, and soaring rents have become prevalent, navigating these difficulties amid a new language and cultural landscape can significantly impede access to basic health services and resources.

For many within the communities APCA serves, even when they possess health insurance (which many do not), genuine access to healthcare remains elusive. Despite the numerous testimonials from community members detailing the barriers they face, there exists insufficient comprehensive data sets that substantiate the imperative of investing in these communities to policymakers. Often, this population is overlooked, despite its significant economic impact and the fact that policies designed to improve their lives would invariably enhance the well-being of all Arizonans.

The CHRNA survey is part of a large-scale health needs assessment conducted through a community-engaged and community venue-based approach. Its primary objectives are as follows:

  1. Determine Existing Health Issues:
    Identify prevalent health concerns within the AANHPI communities in Arizona.
  2. Identify Available Resources:
    Assess the availability of existing healthcare and community resources and their accessibility.
  3. Determine Best Approaches:
    Establish the most effective strategies to meet the unique healthcare needs of the community.

“We have arrived at the time when the gates are open, and how we spend our time solving the most difficult problems in public health will shape our collective future: how we respond to climate disasters, how we build our public health workforce anew, and especially how we shape a safe, healthy world where we all thrive. Project BeeWell is the foundation we hope to lay as a blueprint for this work, we invite you to join us!” – Zeenat Hasan, Executive Director, APCA

At the core of APCA’s mission is the unwavering commitment to ensuring that AANHPI families in Arizona thrive, feel welcomed, and are fully included in all aspects of life. APCA invites all AANHPI Arizona residents aged 18 and above to participate in the survey. By anonymously sharing medical histories, health concerns, and vital information, respondents will play an instrumental role in shaping the future of our community’s healthcare. APCA seeks to amplify the diverse voices within its community, dispel model minority myths, and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Arizona’s narrative.

APCA is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian communities in Arizona. Through community engagement, advocacy, and education, APCA empowers individuals and families to lead healthier lives and have a voice in shaping policies that impact their communities.

For more information about the survey and how to participate, please visit https://www.apcaaz.org/beewell/

View complete press kit here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rhn_ZsufBt49w1Jr3PHO0ax1jSmWeWR8?usp=sharing

Media Contact:
Jessika Malic, Communications Director
(O) 602-265-4598 | (C) 480-999-8993
Jessika@apcaaz.org