Supervisor Solis Takes Action to Promote Heart Health for Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles, CA (October 22, 2024) – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, led by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, has unanimously approved a motion to address heart health disparities among the Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations. The motion directs the Department of Public Health and partners to raise awareness about these health challenges through culturally and linguistically tailored resources.

Los Angeles County, home to approximately 1.5 million AANHPI residents, hosts the largest AANHPI community in the U.S., representing over 40 distinct ethnic groups. These communities face significant health disparities, which have often been obscured by aggregated data. For example, in 2019, South Asians in the U.S. had the highest death rates from heart disease, with a risk up to four times higher than other groups and developing the disease up to a decade earlier.

“Heart disease is preventable, and it’s critical that we inform the public, especially those in multilingual and immigrant communities who often struggle to access essential services,” said Supervisor Solis. “Our families deserve the tools to care for themselves, and we must prioritize the health of those who are disproportionately impacted.”

The motion calls for a public awareness campaign targeting communities at higher risk for heart disease, using culturally appropriate resources and promoting information in multiple languages through traditional, ethnic, and hyperlocal media. It also directs the Chief Executive Office of Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations to advocate for state and federal legislation to further support heart health education in vulnerable communities.