Spotlight
- Pathfinder[PDF 277KB]
(Map of the US with the states that have significant
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations according to the Census Bureau)
HI - UT - WA - FL - TX - CA - NV - OR - NY - AZ
HHS Plan for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Health
Technical Note
Technical Note on Health Data for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Populations
Overview (Demographics): This racial group refers to people having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands. According to the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, there are roughly 1.4 million Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders alone or in combination with one of more races who reside within the United States. This group represents about 0.4 percent of the U.S. population. Out of that number, about 355,000 Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders reside in Hawaii. In 2019, ten states with the largest Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations were: Hawaii, California, Washington, Texas, Utah, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, New York, and Arizona. It also is significant to note that 29.9 percent of this group is under the age of 18, as compared to 18.6 percent of the non-Hispanic white population.
The United Nations population estimates indicate that the 2020 populations for the following U.S. Territories are: American Samoa 55,000, Guam 169,000, Northern Mariana Islands 58,000, Federated States of Micronesia 115,000, Marshall Islands 59,000, Republic of Palau 18,000.
Educational Attainment: In 2019, 88.7 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, alone or in combination, had high school diplomas or higher, as compared to 93.3 percent for non-Hispanic whites. 23.8 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders had a bachelor's degree or higher in comparison to 36.9 percent of whites. 7.4 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders have obtained graduate or professional degrees in comparison to 14.3 percent of whites. 29.7 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders speak a language other than English at home.
Economics: According to the Census Bureau, in 2019, the average Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander median household income was $66,695 in comparison to $71,664 for non-Hispanic white households. In 2019, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 14.8 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, in comparison to 9.0 percent of non-Hispanic whites, were living at the poverty level. In 2019, the unemployment rate for Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders was 5.9 percent, as compared to 3.7 percent for non-Hispanic whites.
Insurance Coverage: In 2019, 65.8 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders in comparison to 74.7 non-Hispanic whites used private health insurance. Also in 2019, 34.0 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders in comparison to 34.3 percent of non-Hispanic whites relied on Medicaid or public health insurance. Finally, 9.1 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, in comparison to 6.3 percent of non-Hispanic whites, were uninsured.
Health: According to Census Bureau projections, the 2020 life expectancies at birth for Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders are 80.8 years, with 83.2 years for women, and 78.5 years for men. For non-Hispanic whites the projected life expectancies are 80.6 years, with 82.7 years for women, and 78.4 years for men. It is significant to note that in comparison to other ethnic groups, Native Hawaiians/ Pacific Islanders have higher rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity. This group also has less access to cancer prevention and control programs. Some leading causes of death among Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders include: cancer, heart disease, unintentional injuries (accidents), stroke and diabetes. Some other health conditions and risk factors that are prevalent among Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders are hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.
Other Health Concerns: The tuberculosis rate in 2019 was 37 times higher for Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, with an incidence rate of 17.6, as compared to 0.5 for the white population.1
Full Census Reports:
The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Population: 2010 [PDF | 4.83MB]
Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2019 [PDF | 861KB]
Income and Poverty in the United States: 2019 [PDF | 212MB]
Projected Life Expectancy at Birth by Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin for the United States: 2015 to 2060. Table 17
Census Bureau, 2021. 2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates
Other Resources:
Department of Interior Office of Insular Affairs U.S. Territories Contacts
United Nations World Population Prospects
1CDC, 2020. Tuberculosis Trends 2019.
As an expert in demographic analysis and health disparities, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the information provided in the article about the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations in the United States. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of census data, health statistics, and socioeconomic factors affecting these communities.
The article begins by highlighting the geographical distribution of significant Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations in the United States, emphasizing states such as Hawaii, California, Washington, Texas, Utah, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, New York, and Arizona. This map, referred to as the Spotlight Pathfinder, is a crucial visual representation sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, providing a quick overview of the regions with notable Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.
The Health and Human Services (HHS) plan for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander health underscores the commitment to addressing health issues specific to these populations. The technical note included in the article provides essential background information on the racial group, defining it as people with origins in Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. The note cites the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, revealing that approximately 1.4 million Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, alone or in combination with other races, reside in the United States, constituting about 0.4 percent of the total population.
Demographic details further highlight that 29.9 percent of this group is under the age of 18, showcasing a relatively young population compared to non-Hispanic whites. The article incorporates United Nations population estimates for U.S. Territories, such as American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau.
Education and socioeconomic factors are crucial components of the analysis. The article points out that in 2019, 88.7 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders had high school diplomas or higher, with 23.8 percent holding a bachelor's degree or higher. However, there's a disparity when compared to non-Hispanic whites, indicating areas for potential improvement.
Economic indicators, such as median household income and poverty rates, are explored, emphasizing that the average Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander median household income was $66,695 in 2019, slightly lower than non-Hispanic white households. The unemployment rate for Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders was also higher than that of non-Hispanic whites in the same year.
The article delves into healthcare coverage, revealing that a smaller percentage of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders used private health insurance compared to non-Hispanic whites. Notably, the health-related statistics highlight disparities in life expectancies and prevalence rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and access to cancer prevention and control programs.
Finally, the article addresses specific health concerns, with a focus on tuberculosis rates, which were significantly higher among Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders compared to the white population in 2019. The comprehensive list of sources, including census reports, CDC data, and resources from the Department of Interior Office of Insular Affairs, adds credibility to the information presented.
In summary, this article serves as a valuable resource for understanding the demographic, educational, economic, and health-related aspects of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations in the United States, providing a foundation for informed policymaking and targeted interventions to address existing disparities.
