Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

In Aotearoa and globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted racism in our society, including targeted anti-Asian hatred. Our study describes experiences of racism for Asian people in Aotearoa and the association between these experiences and life satisfaction during the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 40% of participants had experienced racism since the start of the pandemic. We also identified three underrepresented subgroups, students/young people, those living in non-urban areas and temporary migrants, who experienced higher levels of racism. The study also revealed an association between COVID-era racism and life satisfaction. These findings inform us where anti-racism actions are most needed, and that such activities should be included in efforts to ensure the wellbeing of Asian communities in a pandemic context.