Hate crimes against Asian Americans increased nearly 150% in 2020. Asian American children and teens have confided in their pediatricians that they are afraid to walk to school, go to school or go to church, because they have been bullied or shunned.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) leaders tackle this COVID-19-fueled racism and xenophobia against the Asian American community, and its harm to children, with an article published in the May 2021
Pediatrics.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, racism and xenophobia against the Asian American community has coincided with increases in racist abuse, bullying, and violent attacks, AAP leaders write in Immunizing Against Hate: Overcoming Asian American and Pacific Islander Racism. The article was authored by the Executive Committee of the AAP Board of Directors, in collaboration with the Board Committee on Equity.
AAP recognizes how the social environment can shape child and adolescent development and encourages pediatricians to respond to circumstances that undermine child health. This role is outlined in a 2019 policy statement,
The Impact of Racism on Child and Adolescent Health.
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