Vietnamese Americans experience liver cancer rates eight to nine times higher than other Asian American subgroups and non-Hispanic whites, according to a recent study. The findings, spanning 1988 to 2011, also revealed Vietnamese Americans have the highest liver cancer mortality rate.
Dr. Alka Kanaya, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, noted the inadequacy of aggregated Asian American health data, which can mask disparities. “Part of my interest is in seeing the high rates of diabetes and heart disease in my own family and Asian Indian background but also recognizing that there’s a real inadequacy of data in the U.S. because of the aggregation of data that you can’t really see anything like that,” Kanaya said.
Factors contributing to the disproportionate burden of liver cancer among Vietnamese Americans include high rates of alcohol use, particularly binge drinking among Vietnamese males, and the lasting impact of war, poverty, and trauma on the community.
Experts emphasize the need for disaggregated data and increased awareness of health disparities affecting Asian American subgroups. Addressing stereotypes, such as the model minority myth, is crucial in ensuring proper access to healthcare for underrepresented communities.
See “Vietnamese Americans have higher rates of liver cancer compared to other Asian American subgroups. Why?” (May 31, 2024)
