In brief
A new survey indicates that almost half of Asian American and Pacific Islander adults prioritize the government addressing the high cost of living and inflation. This concern surpasses general financial worries reported by U.S. adults, with many AAPI individuals expressing anxiety about healthcare costs and economic capabilities. Nearly 70% of AAPI adults are doubtful of the government's ability to improve the situation compared to earlier after the last elections.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Economic anxieties are notably heightened among Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians, with many concerned about costs and affordability, as shown by a recent poll. About half of the surveyed adults from these demographics expressed a strong desire for governmental focus on inflation and the cost of living, according to a survey conducted by AAPI Data and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in early December. Comparatively, only a third of U.S. adults overall rated financial worries as their primary concern.This growing concern among AAPI adults contrasts the general sentiment from the previous year, when approximately 4 in 10 AAPI respondents wanted the government to prioritize economic issues. Additionally, the impact of rising healthcare costs is making many reconsider their retirement plans. Jayakumar Natarajan, a San Francisco Bay Area manager, hints at delaying his retirement due to escalating living expenses.The survey also revealed that alongside inflation, healthcare remains at the forefront of AAPI adults' minds, with 44% indicating it should be a government priority this coming year. The apprehension over healthcare skyrocketed partly due to higher costs associated with American healthcare systems, prompting some families to seek medical tourism options for more affordable healthcare abroad. Widespread dissatisfaction with governmental progress on pressing social issues is also noted. Approximately 70% of AAPI respondents feel doubtful about governmental ability to affect change, an increase from 60% previously.Through this survey, a wider narrative emerges about the economic challenges faced by AAPI populations—a demographic often overlooked in broader surveys, driven by language and representation barriers. As families strive to meet mounting financial pressures in high-cost areas like California, the need for government intervention in economic policies is paramount.
