Health

In the last decade, the Filipino American community in Minnesota grew 61 percent – more than doubling its population from 6,200 to 15,600.[i] During that time, Filipino Americans prospered in the state with the lowest unemployment rate among all ethnic groups at 4.1 percent and a higher than average household income of $66,000. While the Filipino American community is perceived to be healthier compared to other immigrant groups due to its relative ease in speaking English and a familiarity with the western culture, community members indicated that there are many in the community, particularly the newly arrived Filipino immigrants, who are struggling.

Minnesota is busily preparing for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. With rising health care costs, frustration with our health care delivery system and a rapidly aging population, it behooves us to ask: do we want a health care system that recognizes the importance of living at home and the people who make that possible, Minnesota’s home health aides?