On Monday, Oct. 30, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) will give a presentation to the public at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library about its ongoing efforts to evaluate the health and wellbeing of the Filipino community in Long Beach.
Following the presentation, there will be a roundtable discussion about the Filipino Community Needs Assessment, which is being spearheaded by the Health Department’s Racial and Health Equity team. The assessment aims to evaluate service gaps as well as strengths related to the overall health of Long Beach’s Filipino community.
“We remain committed to racial and health equity in the city and look forward to learning about the specific needs of Filipinos in Long Beach,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “This upcoming round table is an opportunity for us to build relationships and explore partnerships with the Filipino community so we can work together to address their concerns.”
Over 20,000 individuals of Filipino descent live in Long Beach. According to the 2022 Census and California Healthy Places Index, approximately 20% of the population in West Long Beach (zip code 90810) self-identifies as Filipino.
The Filipino Community Needs Assessment was initiated to gauge the impacts of COVID-19 on the city’s Filipino population and gain a deeper understanding of their requirements to reduce health inequities. To achieve this, a research team with the assistance of community advisors, organized focus groups and a town hall in April 2023 and conducted a health survey among Long Beach’s adult Filipino residents over the summer.
“Our department is committed to ensuring that all of our communities in Long Beach have what they need to be healthy and thrive. These community health needs assessments are an integral step in ensuring that all […] communities are seen, valued and uplifted,” said Director of Health and Human Services Kelly Colopy in a public statement.
After the presentation and community roundtable, the Health Department will keep working with the Filipino Community Advisory Committee to identify short, medium and long-term goals aimed at enhancing health outcomes for the local Filipino community. Community members will be invited to participate in working groups to develop and monitor progress towards these goals.
Individuals are encouraged to RSVP in advance through the Filipino Community Health Needs Assessment Presentation and Roundtable Registration Form. Interpretation services will be provided in Tagalog, and language interpretation requests in other languages can be made via the RSVP link at least 72 hours before the meeting.
The Filipino Community Needs Assessment is funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The assessment aligns with goal four of the City’s Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative, which aims to improve health and wellness in Long Beach by eliminating social and economic disparities in marginalized communities.
The Health Department plans to assess the health and wellness of historically underserved neighborhoods and groups on an ongoing basis. In 2022, the Health Department developed the Mi Vida Cuenta COVID-19 Latinx Health Initiative Report and Workplan in partnership with the Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation, and Leadership Training.
Currently, the Health Department is working on a Community Health Needs Assessment focusing on Cambodian and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities and plans to commence a Black Community Health Needs Assessment early next year.
The presentation of the Filipino Community Needs Health Assessment will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 30 at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.).
