Katie Porter: “During Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we recognize that diversity is more than a cultural exchange that…”

“During Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we recognize that diversity is more than a cultural exchange that enriches our Nation. It is a tool that we can use to save lives. Despite being the fastest-growing minority group in our Nation, AAPI communities remain underrepresented in medical research. In 2019, NIH invested less than 1 percent of its budget to support clinical studies in AAPI communities. That is not enough. In Orange County, our institutions recognize the need to reach all of our communities with medical research. UC Irvine recently received $750,000 in Federal resources to increase diversity in clinical research, and that money is going to help AAPI communities benefit from the university's groundbreaking Alzheimer's research. A medical innovation is only a miracle when it reaches patients in need. The Nation should follow Orange County's lead and work to provide the benefits of publicly funded research to all communities. ____________________”