Summary
Orange County is the nation’s sixth most populous county and makes significant contributions to the region’s economy, buoyed by diverse and growing Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities. Between 2000 and 2010, Asian American and NHPI communities were the county’s fastest growing; every city countywide saw an increase in its Asian American population.
And yet the social, cultural, and economic diversity of these communities are still not fully understood by elected officials, government agencies, foundations, businesses, and others who develop and implement public policies. Asian American and NHPI populations are not monolithic, though they are often treated that way when policies and regulations are crafted.
For instance, 26 percent of Asian Americans countywide reported having a physical, mental or emotional disability, and 49 percent who reported having mental/emotional or drug/alcohol issues said they did not receive treatment, according to California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data. The perception of these communities as unequivocally successful results in the neglect of their needs and concerns.
