Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
  Menu Close
          HHS Search block
    Search
        








  
  
    

  
      

                                      About HHS
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Programs & Services
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants & Contracts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Laws & Regulations Breadcrumb
    Home
                              About
                              News
                              Joint Statement by HHS Secretary Becerra, Ambassador Tai, Erika Moritsugu, and Krystal Ka‘ai in Celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
 Navigate to:
  News
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Blog
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      HHS Live
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Podcasts
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Media Guidelines for HHS EmployeesText resize icon

                    




**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 2, 2022**

        **Contact: 
                                    HHS Press Office**
          202-690-6343media@hhs.gov

          Joint Statement by HHS Secretary Becerra, Ambassador Tai, Erika Moritsugu, and Krystal Ka‘ai in Celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
    
    

      Today, in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai – Co-Chairs of both the White House Initiative and the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders – along with Deputy Assistant to the President and AA and NHPI Senior Liaison Erika Moritsugu, and White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) Executive Director Krystal Ka‘ai, released the following joint statement:

"Every May, we honor the rich histories of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and recognize their central role in strengthening the fabric of our nation. The immeasurable contributions of AA and NHPI communities touch the lives of every American, and we celebrate their enduring strength and resilience.

"This Heritage Month is also a reminder that AA and NHPIs have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, risking their lives to save others even as the virus has uniquely devastated their communities – particularly Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Furthermore, our hearts have been repeatedly shattered by unconscionable attacks on Asian elders, women, and other vulnerable groups over the past year.

"The Biden-Harris Administration continues to work with urgency to provide direct relief, tackle inequities, and ensure that AA and NHPIs have the resources to lead healthy lives as we recover from this crisis. We will keep working together to build a future where no one fears violence, and all can live in safety and prosperity."

With the pandemic disproportionately affecting communities of color including AA and NHPIs, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has become a vital hub for the Biden-Harris Administration's work to provide relief and care to these underserved communities.

The linked Fact Sheet provides an overview of the Department's efforts to promote the health and well-being of AA and NHPIs.

In a snapshot, HHS agencies have:

Administered COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses to millions of AA and NHPI community members.
	Provided significant funding to health care entities and organizations serving AA and NHPIs to aid their response to COVID-19.
	Relaunched and reinvigorated the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, as directed through Executive Order 14031.
	Translated vital patient education and COVID-19 testing resources into multiple Asian languages.
	Awarded grants to drive better health research and data focused on AA and NHPI communities, reduce language access barriers, and support AA and NHPI survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
  

    ###
    Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates.Last revised: May 2, 2022

  
  
  







  Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases

Sign Up







  Subscribe to RSS
    

      Receive latest updates







  Related News Releases
    

      New Data Show Highest Number of Health Center Patients in Nearly 60 Year History of the Program
  

Statement by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the Anniversary of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
  

Statement by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the Second Anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization







  Related Blog Posts
    

      Celebrating Pride Month with Action
  

OCR Celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
  

Celebrating the Importance of Second Chance Month

                    
  


Media Inquiries

For general media inquiries, please contact media@hhs.gov.







  Content created by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA) Content last reviewed May 2, 2022 Back to top
    Contact HHS
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Careers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HHS FAQs
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Nondiscrimination NoticeHHS Archive
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Accessibility Statement
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Viewers & PlayersBudget/Performance
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Inspector General
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Web Site Disclaimers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      EEO/No Fear ActFOIA
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      The White House
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      USA.gov
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
        Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
  HHS Headquarters
          200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20201
                  Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​ Disclaimer Policy: Links with this icon () mean that you are leaving the HHS website. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cannot guarantee the accuracy of a non-federal website.
                  Linking to a non-federal website does not mean that HHS or its employees endorse the sponsors, information, or products presented on the website. HHS links outside of itself to provide you with further information.
                  You will be bound by the destination website's privacy policy and/or terms of service when you follow the link.
                  HHS is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on private websites. For more information on HHS's web notification policies, see Website Disclaimers.
 Continue
                  Go back