Deconstructing the Monolith: An Educational Module for Understanding Disparities Within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Populations

Date of Review: October, 2025

This resource, from MedED PORTAL, is a single-experience workshop for medical students to unpack the diversity within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities that are often lumped together as part of the Asian monolith bias. The curriculum incorporates statistics around different disease rates and disparities in health outcomes among in AANHPI communities. The curriculum could easily be integrated into a “doctoring” or sessions focused on cultural humility. It would be easy to implement with a thorough instructor guide included in content materials. The material includes interactive Q&A components with the audience to encourage participation. –Kathleen Kelly, MD, NCEAS

Corresponding Author’s Email:

kdl2130@cumc.columbia.edu

Institution:

Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons;

Where was the Curriculum Implemented:

New York, NY with virtual options (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Wisconsin)

Outcomes that Have Been Reported for the Curriculum:

Learner Satisfaction or reaction

Self-reported learner attitude

Self-reported learner knowledge

Measured in learner knowledge

Outcome and Study Design:

Pre/Post

Level of Learner Assessment

Appreciation of content/attitude assessment (self-reflection, blogging with rubric)

Knowledge Acquisition (MCQ, IRAT, GRAT)