Summary
Published Date: May 22, 2024
Summary: The data presented in these fact sheets highlight strengths and assets and some of the barriers that AA children, youth, and families face in California that shape their health and well-being. Topics covered include COVID-19, mental health, health coverage, language access, hate and discrimination, economic well-being, and more, as well as community-defined protective factors that help address and mitigate inequities. 2021 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) estimates are used, as well as data from other state and national surveys, and other state government sources.
Findings: Data presented about Asian American children in California under age 18 include:
- Demographics —About 1.55 million children and youth under age 18 identify as Asian American (AA), including those who also identify with another race or ethnicity, making up about 17% of the state’s nearly 9 million children. Nearly 69% (1,072,847) identify as Asian American alone. Children identifying as being of Chinese ancestry make up the largest group (261,793), followed by those identifying as Filipino (249,087).
- Mental Health — Nearly 1 in 3 (31%) youth report feeling depressed. Nearly 10% of AA teen girls received psychological/emotional counseling, compared with 23% of all teen girls who received counseling.
- Hate and discrimination — Of 11,467 hate incidents against AAPI people reported to Stop AAPI Hate, youth 17 and under reported 10% of those incidents. Chinese Americans reported the most incidents (43%) of all ethnic groups.
- Health coverage and access — 97% have health insurance, with 1 in 4 (26%) enrolled in Medi-Cal.
- Oral health— 17% of children had untreated decay and 50% had tooth decay compared to 14% and 40% of white children, respectively. Among teens, 7% missed school due to a dental problem.
- Community and family well-being — 10% of people have avoided accessing government benefits like Medi-Cal or Cal-Fresh due to immigration/public charge fears and concerns about family being disqualified from green card/citizenship.
- School success and safety — 21% of students are English learners. Nearly 1 in 2 (46%) of 7th grader have been harassed and bullied in school — among the highest of any racial/ethnic group.
- Economic well-being — 10% of children live below the federal poverty level, compared with 16% of all children in California. However, Hmong and Cambodian American children have the highest rates of poverty among Asian Americans, 42% and 31% respectively, higher than Black children and Latinx children.
- Language access — 1 in 4 children live in a household with a primary language other than English.
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