by Akemi Tamanaha

Prices are rising amidst Trump’s recent tariff hike, and a government shutdown looms. For many Asian Americans and Pacific Islander adults, a new survey finds, cost of living is top of mind.

AAPI Data and the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) recently released the results of their AAPI Policy Priorities Survey, which provides an in-depth look into what issues are most important to the AAPI community.

Respondents were pulled from NORC’s Amplify AAPI Panel. In total, 1,046 AAPI adults representing the 50 states and DC were interviewed in August.

The survey found that 58% of respondents listed cost of living as the most important issue facing the country. “Jobs and economy” was the second most listed issue (36%), and health care was the third most listed issue (33%).

An even higher percentage of AAPI adults (75%) listed cost of living and inflation as the most important issue they or their family are currently facing.

Cost of living and inflation was consistently the most important issue among all AAPI ethnicities that were surveyed. A majority of men (60%) and women (55%) listed it as the most important issue facing the country. It was also ranked the highest across all age groups.

During a September 16 briefing about the survey findings, Karthick Ramakrishnan, the executive director of AAPI data, highlighted that though only 33% of respondents listed health care as the most important issue facing the country, more AAPI adults listed it as a personal concern (41%).

Ramakrishnan said the data point was “something to keep in mind” as we see health care policy changes that might impact AAPI communities.

To read the entire article: https://asamnews.com/2025/09/30/aapi-data-ncapa-policy-priorities/

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