- January 7, 2021

A team of researchers have received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to raise awareness about the diversity of Asian American experiences and resources in regards to COVID-19. The project titled, “COVID-19 and Asian Americans: Vulnerability and Resiliency,” is led by Edson College Associate Professor, Angela Chia-Chen Chen, and includes Drs. Wei Li and Karen Leong of Asian Pacific American Studies in ASU’s School of Social Transformation, and Dr. Seung Yong Han in Edson College.

The research will examine how resource availability and relative risk affect COVID-19 preventive behaviors while exploring the healthcare seeking behaviors and health status among Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese communities in Arizona. The team will also explore the role that community organizations may play in reducing anti-Asian discrimination amid the pandemic.

“The findings of this research will provide meaningful information to enhance individual, community and policy-level decisions related to our priority populations,” stated Chia-Chen Chen. “Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing minority groups in the US, yet are often excluded or inaccurately characterized in health research.”

Funding is provided by the NSF National Hazards Center Quick Response Research Award Program, Special Call for COVID-19 Research. For more information, visit their website.