During the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) older adults experienced discrimination. There is evidence that neighborhood context may play a protective role in mental health outcomes. Using the 2022 California AANHPI Community Needs Survey, which included the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) as one of its primary sources, multivariate regression models examined associations among discrimination, neighborhood characteristics, and mental health.

Findings: COVID-related discrimination was associated with higher levels of serious psychological distress, while higher levels of neighborhood social cohesion and safety were associated with better mental health outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of neighborhood factors in promoting AANHPI older adults' mental health.