As of January 15, 2021, the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) COVID-19 age-adjusted case rate (per 100,000) was ranked the highest in the U.S.  (7,551), the state of Washington (6,562), and King Co. (7,754). The NHPI population also ranked the highest in age-adjusted death rate (per 100,000) for the  U.S. (93), Washington (126), and King Co. (200.7). These rates signify an alarming trend and can be attributed to pre-pandemic inequalities rooted in the racism and  settler colonialism experienced by NHPI people. These inequalities may be exacerbated by the pandemic, particularly in the area of economic vulnerability and recovery. Economic risks have always been high in the NHPI community. Pre-pandemic, NHPI have been reported to have higher rates of poverty, live in larger households, report chronic illnesses, and work lower wage essential jobs (Kaholokula et al, 2020). The NHPI population in the U.S. in  2010 was about 1.2 million people. WA state is currently home to the 3rd largest population of NHPI just behind Hawai’i and California. There is a need to  study how COVID-19 has affected the socioeconomic experiences of these communities across WA state. 

In 2019 we partnered with the Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington (PICA WA), a Pasifika lead non-profit organization that provided COVID-19 support in the WA Pasifika community during the pandemic. With community members engaged through PICA WA, we explored the economic and social impacts of COVID-19 on WA Pacific Islander communities and their vision for economic recovery.  In this project we utilize state and national datasets to see the extent to which COVID-19 has expanded inequity in unemployment, job loss, and socioeconomic well-being for Pacific Islanders. We triangulate this data with findings from focus group interviews conducted by PICA WA. From these analyses, we hope to develop models, community interventions, and policy recommendations to support WA Pasifika communities in economic growth and recovery beyond the pandemic.

Research Contacts: Mike Spencer, Santino Camacho, and 

Project Status: Completed

Publications: 

Camacho, S. G., Haitsuka, K., Yi, K., Seia, J., Huh, D., Spencer, M. S., & Takeuchi, D. (2022). Examining Employment Conditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Pasifika Communities. Health Equity, 6(1), 564-573. doi: https://doi.org/10.1089/heq.2022.0027

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused students living in rural areas to experience exacerbated educational disparities. This included familial financial stresses, which also pushed many migrant students living in rural communities to prioritize work over school. The pandemic shed light on educational disparities featured in rural public-school education systems. The purpose of the study is to examine how the education trajectory of students in rural communities has been affected by the social and economic impacts of COVID-19. To accomplish this purpose, we will examine the extent to which familial needs impacted students’ post-high school educational plans, how financial strain has influenced their post-graduation choices, and how students practiced resourcefulness and resilience despite experiences of economic hardship. In this community-based qualitative research project, we will conduct semi-structured interviews with Eastern Washington high school seniors who are 18 years of age or older and use a phenomenological thematic analysis to gather themes related to our research questions. As part of the research, we will collaborate with a community advisory committee composed of teachers and recent high school graduates from Eastern Washington communities to develop the project’s research methods and to ensure the analyses and interpretation of interviews are reflective of the students’ experiences. We predict that students will plan to alter their post-high school paths to accommodate their families’ needs. Anti-racist - strength-based - frameworks will be used to make academic support recommendations for students in rural communities. Ultimately, our study can help inform collaboration with community members to find solutions so we can best support students and encourage them as they navigate pathways after high school graduations. 

Research Contact: Karina Flores 

Project Status: Completed