Wow. Over a week later, and we're still reflecting on the incredible energy shared at WAVES’ recent #OpenHouse! Not only were we celebrating moving into our first office, but closing out a jam-packed #AANHPIHeritage & #MentalHealthAwareness Month. More than 65 community members, partners, #youth, families, elected officials, advisors, and supporters gathered together, representing 10 #AAPI diaspora communities, including Hmong, Karen, Chinese, Cantonese, Taiwanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, Nepali, and Indian communities. From #origami making and #TaiChi to a recounting of WAVES' history by Executive Director and Founder, Lily Chen, multiple #generations came together in one space, reminding us of what WAVES has always strived to be: a connector. We were honored to welcome several special guests, including Maria Cervania, NC General Assembly Representative and WAVES Board Member; TJ Cawley, Mayor of Morrisville; Cheryl Stallings, Wake County Commissioner; Shelia Reich from the Blue Cross NC Foundation; Ruby Brown-Herring of RBH Wellness Solutions, LLC and WAVES Advisor; Michelle Barrett, Program Manager for Seniors and Aging with the Town of Cary, NC; Christine Kushner, Wake County Commission candidate; Donald Hughes from the Town of Apex Government; and Mona Singh, Wake County Commissioner candidate. Additionally, we were delighted to welcome Jianping Yang, a board member of the Chinese American Friendship Association - CAFA NC, organizer of Taste of China, and Yun Chuu, President of Asian Focus NC, organizer of the Dragon Boat Festival. UCA WAVES will be a proud #partner of these two major community events! We are especially grateful for the continued support of the Blue Cross NC Foundation, whose funding helped support the completed two-year Identifying #AAPIHealth Priorities initiative, the three-year #YouthMentalHealth Grant, and multiple small grants supporting wellness programs, internships, and #nonprofitmanagement. These efforts reflect WAVES’ ongoing commitment to listening to our #communities, identifying health priorities, and building culturally responsive #resources that support #AAPIyouth and families. One attendee made a comment that has stayed with us: they found the overwhelming enthusiasm of our #volunteers inspiring. Why? Because ten years ago, WAVES began as a dream that no one would struggle alone. Today, we are a multi-dimensional #nonprofitorganization whose hope and passion for creating change is palpable. To everyone who attended our Open House, who has believed in our work, or played a role in bringing our vision to life, thank you. We’ll never be able to properly express the true depth of our #gratitude, but we’ll keep trying. Sincerely, 💙 The UCA WAVES Team 💜

Dr. @DrSamanthaWang, Co-Director of Faculty Development at @StanfordCARE, was featured in the @StanfordDeptMed news discussing how language shapes public engagement around health equity. Her national study found that clear, practical language helps people connect with public health goals across political perspectives. Read more: ow.ly/SVm650YtMeb #AsianHealth #StanfordCARE #AAPIHealth

Nearly 80% of nail salons in California are Vietnamese-owned. Behind the beauty are real health risks—from toxic chemicals to poor ventilation—affecting women, families, and unborn babies. Watch the full talk by Stanford CARE faculty, Dr. Ricky Choi, to learn more about what is being done to support Asian children’s health: youtu.be/MH4SrfyENAk #AsianHealth #PrecisionHealth #StanfordCARE #AAPIHealth

🎥 Recording now available! Our talk with CARE faculty Dr. Tamiko Katsumoto on The Healing Power of Asian Diets is now live. Explore how plant-based eating, fermentation, herbs, teas & cultural food practices support AANHPI wellness. Watch here 👇 ow.ly/JSjG50XFYmQ #AsianHealth #StanfordCARE #AAPIHealth

🚨 Hidden crisis: Asian American women are increasingly being diagnosed with lung cancer—even without smoking. 🫁 @JVelottaMD, CARE Global Faculty, is leading one of the first U.S. screening studies for non-smokers. Read more: ow.ly/sXkX50Xx9xF #LungCancerAwareness #AsianHealth #AAPIHealth

Did you know Asian U.S. citizens—especially those born in the U.S.—report higher rates of chronic health conditions than non-citizens, challenging assumptions tied to privilege, access, and the model minority myth? Read more at: doi.org/10.59448/jah.v5i1.78 #JournalOfAsianHealth#AsianHealth #HealthEquity #StanfordCARE #AAPIHealth

🌉 In San Francisco, health organizers are building a patient-centered model for people living with #hepatitisB — rooted in trust, cultural humility & long-term care. 💛👏 Read more 🔗: sfpublicpress.org/health-org… #AAPIHealth #HealthEquity

Yesterday, UCA WAVES was honored to take part in the @AACNursing Access, Connection, Engagement (ACE) Symposium 2025—a powerful gathering of transformative nurse leaders, educators, and advocates👩🏾‍⚕️👨🏻‍🏫 Our Executive Director, Lily Chen, presented on UCA WAVES’ Youth Mental Health Collaborative and Chinese Mental Health First Aid training research project, and had the opportunity to learn from some of the most inspiring voices in academic nursing 🩻 ✨Key moments included✨ • A keynote by Dr. Beverly Malone, President & CEO of the @NLN • Teaching strategies from faculty at @DukeU_Nursing • Connections with leaders from the Clinical Scholars Action Network, including Dr. Wanda Thruston • Groundbreaking policy presentations—from Maryland’s new preceptor tax credit by Dr. Theresa Di Seta, to bias reduction training through the AWARE initiative by Rebecca O’Connor We can’t wait to see what day 2 brings!!☺️💚 #UCAWAVES #AACNACE2025 #NursingLeadership #YouthMentalHealth #AAPIHealth #HealthEquity #ChineseMHFA #MentalHealthMatters #FutureOfNursing

From 2018 to 2021, Korean Americans had an overdose rate 37% higher than Asian Americans overall (1.36 vs 0.99). Midwest had the highest numbers. Culturally specific interventions are urgently needed. #AAPIHealth #Overdose #Koreanhealth #PublicHealth doi.org/10.1007/s40615-024-0…

🚨 New Report on Asian-American Heart Health 🚨 A new American Heart Association report highlights how factors like immigration status, racism, and access to healthcare impact the heart health of Asian-Americans. Despite being the fastest-growing ethnic group, Asian-Americans are often under-represented in research, leading to gaps in understanding heart disease risks across subgroups. The report stresses the need for more research and prevention strategies tailored to the unique experiences of different Asian-American communities. #HealthEquity #AsianAmericanHeartHealth #UCA #AAPIHealth

ICYMI: Nearly half of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Texas skipped or postponed medical care due to cost. EHF's latest poll highlights significant health and non-medical challenges faced by AAPI Texans. episcopalhealth.org/news-rel… #HealthEquity #AAPIHealth

64% of AAPI Texans support expanding Medicaid. Addressing both medical and non-medical factors is key to improving health. #MedicaidExpansion #AAPIHealth #AAPIHeritageMonth Learn more in EHF's statewide poll: buff.ly/3QV0xUk

We want to recognize National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which sheds a light on the importance of education, prevention, and support within these communities. Let us come together to spread awareness and promote health equity for all! #AAPIHealth

Executive Director at Mental Health Mutual-aid Hub Canada, Lydia Yang, is a powerhouse in providing peer support and reducing stigma around mental health care. Discover her innovative approaches at our summit! #Empowerment #AAPIHealth

South Asians have a four times greater risk of heart disease than the general population. Join Rajesh Dash, MD, PhD, for a conversation about the importance of testing for non-traditional risk factors. stan.md/3TWnkAX #AAPIHealth #HeartHealth #PatientCare

📢Now in press: Substance Use and Treatment Disparities among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders @DrugAlcoholDep 🔍Reveals their underrepresentation in SUD treatment facilities @NYU_CSAAH @NIMHD #HealthEquity #AAPIHealth Read it here doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep…

The City of Oakland is honoring our member #CHC @AsianHealth818's Founding Executive, Sherry Hirota by naming a street for her. Thank you Sherry for your tireless advocacy for equitable and accessible healthcare for underserved communities! #ValueCHCs #HealthEquity #AAPIHealth

We’re celebrating #Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, like actress and #ENDALZ Celebrity Champion Christina Chang (ABC's The Good Doctor) who is passionate about raising #Alzheimers awareness in honor of her mom & of all those impacted. #AAPIMonth #AsianHealth #AAPIHealth

This #AAPIHeritageMonth, CA children's hospitals are celebrating the rich diversity of the AAPI children & families they serve. Learn more about #AAPIHealth from @KidsPartnership here: bit.ly/41o7QXQ

📢 New research project launch: KIMCHI (Koreans Invested in Making Caregivers Health Important) 📢 새 연구 알림: 김치 (KIMCHI) #KoreanAmericans #Caregiving #CognitiveHealth #Dementia #DementiaCaregiving #ADRD #CommunityHealth #KoreanHealth #AAPI #AAPIHealth