The impact of racial discrimination on the health of Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review

Ethn Health. 2023 Oct;28(7):957-982. doi: 10.1080/13557858.2023.2208312. Epub 2023 May 9.

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjective: Cases of discrimination and hate crimes against Asian Americans have surged ever since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with deleterious effects. This scoping review synthesizes the literature on how pandemic-related discrimination is associated with the health of Asian Americans.Design: First, application search terms were entered into selected databases. Next, using a set of inclusion criteria, the articles were screened and assessed for eligibility. Data from the selected articles were extracted and summarized to answer the research questions.Results: Thirty-five studies were included. Almost all the studies examined psychological well-being. The remaining studies examined physical and workplace well-being. All the studies found that discrimination was associated with poorer health outcomes.Conclusion: Further research is needed to address the gaps in knowledge about how pandemic-related discrimination is associated with various domains of health among Asian Americans.

Keywords: Asian Americans; COVID-19; Discrimination; health; race.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asian
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Racism* / psychology