COVID-19-related Hate Incidents and Food Insecurity among Asian Americans

• In Event: Asia and Asian American Section Roundtables Session
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 10: Asia and Asian America Section Roundtable - Race and Racism

Abstract

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified anti-Asian discrimination and hate
incidents, which may exacerbate both psychological distress and material hardship.
This study examined the association between pandemic-related hate incidents and
food insecurity among Asian Americans and explored whether these relationships
differed across subethnic groups.
Methods: Data were drawn from the 2021-2022 California Health Interview Survey
(CHIS). The dependent variable was food insecurity. The independent variable was
hate incidents due to COVID-19. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to
examine the association between hate incidents and food insecurity. Interaction terms
were further included to test whether the association between hate incidents and food
insecurity varied across subethnic groups.
Results: Among 1,453 Asian American adults, 26.0% experienced food insecurity.
Individuals who experienced hate incidents related to COVID-19 had more than three
times higher odds of food insecurity compared to those who did not (AOR=3.13,
p=0.001). Middle-aged and older adults (ages 35-84) and males were also more likely
to experience food insecurity, whereas those reporting good or very good health had
lower odds. The association between hate incidents and food insecurity differed across
subethnic groups, with significant interactions for South Asian (β=5.75, p<0.001) and
multiracial Asian adults (β=2.95, p=0.006).
Discussions: Hate incidents related to COVID-19 were associated with higher odds of
food insecurity among Asian American adults, particularly South Asian and multiracial
Asian groups. These findings illustrate how racialized violence and economic hardship
intersect, underscoring the need for culturally responsive interventions addressing both
discrimination and food insecurity across Asian American subgroups.

Author

• Xiang Gao, University of North Carolina Greensboro