“COVID, Several Sides to a Single Virus”: Comparing Experiences Among Asian American Youths Living Under COVID-19

Matthew Kwok

Pronouns: he/him/his

Research Mentor(s): Tsu-Yin Wu
Co-Presenter: Akthar, Nahida
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Eastern Michigan University School of Nursing / Other
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 6 – 4:40pm – 5:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Nahida Akthar, Matthew Kwok, Tsu-Yin Wu
Presenter: 55

Abstract

Since its inception in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has been the front-and-center issue for communities across the globe. Prior research indicates a confirmed COVID case count of 340 million and a death toll exceeding 5.5 million. While the entire world is suffering under the pandemic, research also suggests that COVID-19 continues to harm minority populations at alarmingly disproportionate rates in the United States. Under the Center for Health and Disparities Innovations and Studies (CHDIS), the study attempts to pull back the curtains and observe how the pandemic has affected young Japanese and Bengladeshi Americans differently. The CHDIS team utilized listening sessions conducted directly within the Japanese and Bengladeshi communities in Michigan which provided data pertaining to the communities’ (1) vaccine accessibility, (2) general attitudes surrounding COVID and the vaccine, (3) and the distinct problems presented by COVID that are unique to each community. The collection and deciphering of data are ongoing, but the findings should eventually help pave the way for more effective solutions geared towards the needs of a very rich and diverse racial group in “Asian Americans” under the COVID pandemic.

Presentation link

Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary, Social Sciences