by Jaime Rodriguez, RDPFS Intern
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, commemorated in May, celebrates the cultural and historical contributions made to the United States by people and cultures from Asia, Hawaii, and Pacific Islanders, including Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week was established through a joint congressional resolution in 1978. In 1992, the recognition expanded to a monthlong celebration, now known as AANHPI or Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This year, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. issued his administration’s recognition of AANHPI, which can be read by clicking here for A Proclamation on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, And Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2022. This occasion also provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of regular eye care.
Asian Americans and Glaucoma
by Jaime Rodriguez, RDPFS Intern
Asian Americans are at greater risk for developing angle-closure glaucoma, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). “While less common than open-angle glaucoma, if untreated it can still cause irreversible vision loss.” Early detection and treatment are vital to maintaining healthy eyes and staving off vision loss. AAO recommends that adults of all ethnicities get regular eye exams, especially older adults and those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, known eye diseases, or high blood pressure. For more information about AANHPI Heritage Month, check out the History.Com website titled, “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.” To learn more about the Asian communities and eye exams, please read the American Academy of Ophthalmology article, “Ethnicity and Eye Disease: A Risk Reminder for Asian-, African- and Latino-Americans.” For additional relevant facts and data, please check out the US Census Bureau’s press release, “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: May 2022.”
Individuals ages 55 and older may be interested in attending the “Asian Support Group: A Virtual Support Group for Seniors,” taking place on May 24, 2022, from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm EDT. For more information about the event and to enter, visit the Society for the Blind’s webpage titled, “Asian Support Group: A Virtual Support Group for Seniors.”
