Project Abstract
Food security – consistent, dependable access to enough food for an active, healthy life – is a critical social determinant of health. Food insecurity affects many Asian Americans, but their experiences remain relatively unknown to the public due to the “model minority” stereotype. The stereotype portrays Asian Americans as a homogenous group experiencing socioeconomic success and little structural racism, and consequently, little food insecurity. In contrast, Asian Americans are extremely heterogeneous and include people from >30 countries who speak >100 languages or dialects, with diverse backgrounds, religious and cultural practices, and patterns of services utilization. Different Asian origin groups have varying levels of English proficiency, education, and income, which are associated with food insecurity.
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent intensification of xenophobia and violence against Asian Americans has only worsened the problem of food insecurity. In response, several community-based organizations (CBOs) serving Asian Americans launched programs to address gaps in food systems. Through such CBO-led programs in Chicagoland, what can we learn about the sociology and geography of food insecurity among different Asian origin groups in both urban and suburban settings? What does these experiences tell us about the robustness of our food systems for a minoritized group during the pandemic and surge in anti-Asian hate? We use COVID-19 and the related surge of anti-Asian hate as a sociological “stress test,” to shed light on not only food insecurity among Asian Americans but also the broader performance of Chicagoland’s food system.
Chicagoland is home to one of the largest populations of Asians in the U.S. and the largest in Illinois and the Midwest. Asian Americans in Chicagoland are highly heterogeneous in size, socioeconomic composition, educational backgrounds, and Asian origin group. Among the largest origin groups are Asian Indians, Filipinx/a/os, Chinese, Koreans, Pakistani, and Vietnamese. The population is spatially heterogenous as well. with multiple Asian American enclaves scattered across the city. Beyond the city limits, Asian Americans live in suburban areas that resemble classical “ethnoburbs.” We will conduct in-depth interviews with the leadership and staff members of Chicago-area CBOs, faith-based organizations, and other institutions that launched or expanded programs meant to enhance the food security of Asian Americans during the pandemic. Key questions include how CBOs responded to food insecurity among Asian Americans during the dual threats of the pandemic and racism, which aspects of these programs were effective, what resources were utilized, and what remaining needs and challenges CBOs face. We will explore the differences in providing services to urban and suburban communities.
This study necessitates interdisciplinary collaboration from both preventive medicine/public health (Dr. Vu) and sociology and political science (Dr. Chen). This research will provide insights into how structural racism shape the vulnerability of Asian Americans during a pandemic, CBOs’ responses to these threats, and CBO’s roles in supporting community members. This knowledge will contribute to broader discussions about equity during crises and inform efforts to address the needs of vulnerable populations through trusted CBOs. It will inform policy and programs to reduce discrimination and food insecurity among Asian Americans.
Investigators
Ha Vu, PhD, Preventive Medicine
Dr. Ha Ngan (Milkie) Vu (she/her) is a mixed-methods researcher with over a decade of experience conducting community-engaged research to promote health equity. Her interdisciplinary research program addresses three interrelated themes: 1) exploring multilevel factors influencing chronic disease and cancer prevention and control, with an emphasis on HPV vaccination among Asian Americans and migrant communities; 2) understanding and addressing food insecurity and other health-related socioeconomic risks of diverse populations; and 3) leveraging implementation science and community engagement to develop, implement, and sustain evidence-based programs, particularly in underserved communities or low-resource settings. She is committed to creating and strengthening community-academic partnerships in research and programming. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, American Psychological Foundation, Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities, and American Association for Cancer Education.