Pandemic shows need for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander census participation | ABC News

CEGA affiliate Randall Akee describes the importance of accurately representing population groups in the 2020 census, and the public health implications of misrepresentation, in an article by ABC News.

“For decades, government officials have struggled to accurately count Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders nationwide. Members have been mislabeled or gone uncounted because of an unwillingness or inability to participate in the census.

Every 10 years the U.S. Census Bureau undertakes a massive effort to count the American people. The results allocate seats for Congress as well as billions of dollars in federal funds for hospitals, schools, transportation and public assistance programs.

With the added challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, an undercounting of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders could be even more acute in the 2020 census. As a result, political leaders fear the small ethnic minority runs the risk of remaining underrepresented and being denied public funds and resources.”

Source: Pandemic shows need for Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders participation in census – ABC News