Asian American women have a highest life expectancy rate than any other in the country, reports Asian Fortune. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services show Filipinos at 81.5 years, to Japanese at 84.5 years, and Chinese women at 86.1 years. Overall Asian American women live an average of 85.8 years.
The longer life expectancy comes despite the fact that Asian Americans have lower rates of preventive medical checkups and insurance coverage. This has taken its toll on many with AAPIs suffering a tubercolosis rate 11 times higher than Caucasians. Asian women also have a high rate of osteoporosis. A high rate of diabetes, hepatitis B, liver disease and problems associated with smoking are also of concern.
“If you are educated, you would reach out for more information, but those who haven’t had the opportunity to do so depend on hearsay or look for cheap resources,” said Mariza Alignay of the VA Medical Center. “When they talk about cheaper resources, they limit the amount of care they get. Most of the time they may not be able to follow through because they don’t have enough money to go through expensive testing or diagnosis to get their problems addressed.”
