In New York, a dramatic rise in diabetes among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities is raising alarms and prompting calls for systemic change. State Senator John Liu revealed that diabetes rates in the AAPI population have surged by 40% over the past decade, a trend he described as “quietly devastating.”
The crisis is particularly acute in New York City, where many AAPI residents are developing diabetes at lower body mass indexes than other groups, making the condition harder to detect early. “Many AAPI individuals are not overweight by traditional standards, so their risk is often overlooked,” said Dr. George Liu, Chief Medical Officer at SOMOS Community Care, a network serving underserved communities across the city.
Language barriers and a lack of culturally competent care are compounding the issue. Senator Liu stressed the importance of improving access, noting, “Language access and culturally competent care are essential.” Many AAPI patients struggle to navigate the healthcare system, leading to delayed diagnoses and poorer outcomes.
Another major concern is the lack of disaggregated health data. Lumping all AAPI subgroups together masks the unique challenges faced by different communities, from Chinese to Filipino to South Asian populations.
To address the crisis, Senator Liu and community health leaders are advocating for a “Life Plan” initiative—an annual wellness visit tailored to AAPI needs. “We need to shift from reactive to proactive care,” said Dr. Liu. This health disparity reflects broader systemic inequities affecting minority communities across the U.S.
See: “Shocking Rise in Diabetes Among AAPI Community Spurs Call for ‘Life Plan’” (May 28, 2025)