Study on Assaults Against Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders During COVID-19 Featured in Elsevier's Journal of Surgical Research

We are thrilled to announce that ImageTrend has made a significant contribution to a recently published journal article in Elsevier's Journal of Surgical Research. This collaborative study, titled “Prehospital Assaults Against Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders During COVID-19,” was co-authored by Victoria Yuan, MD; Gabriela R. Dincheva, DO; Amber Chen-Goodspeed, MD; Morgan Anderson, MPH, CPH; Konstantin Khariton, DO, FACS; and Steven Y. Chao, MD, FACS.

Our Research Manager, Morgan Anderson, helped provide statistical knowledge, analysis, and data for the research, which sheds light on the alarming rise in assaults against this population during the pandemic.

Unveiling the Research

The study explores the disturbing trend of increased assaults against Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing data from ImageTrend Collaborate, a comprehensive national database, the study meticulously analyzes assault incidents treated by emergency medical services (EMS) from January 2019 to December 2021.

Key Findings

1. Elevated Assault Rates: The research reveals that assaults against AANHPI individuals increased significantly during the pandemic. In 2020, the peak year of the pandemic, AANHPI individuals experienced 8.3 assaults per 100 injuries, a stark rise from 7.1 per 100 injuries in 2019. This elevated rate persisted into 2021, highlighting a concerning trend of sustained violence against these communities.
   
   
2. Comparison with General Population: While assaults in the general population returned to pre-COVID levels in 2021, the risk for AANHPI individuals remained high. This indicates that the pandemic exacerbated anti-Asian sentiment, leading to increased violence that did not subside even as the broader population saw improvements.
   
   
3. Demographic Insights: The study found that most AANHPI assault victims were between the ages of 25 and 34 years old, with a significant increase in assaults using blunt and sharp objects. This age group experienced a notable rise in assault rates during the pandemic years.

Broader Implications

This collaborative research, involving ImageTrend and leading authors from the study, provides crucial insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on minority communities. This underscores the need for continued vigilance and targeted interventions to protect this population from hate-driven violence.

ImageTrend’s Commitment

We leverage data and research to improve community health and safety. The findings from this AANHPI study highlight the importance of our national EMS data collection and the role of evidence-based research in shaping policies and interventions.

ImageTrend Collaborate is a prehospital electronic health record dataset containing deidentified data from over 44 million EMS activations from 2502 EMS agencies providing care in 50 United States' states and territories. 

Conclusion

This collaborative article in the Journal of Surgical Research is a testament to the power of data-driven research in uncovering critical social issues. By supporting and participating in studies like these, we hope to contribute to a deeper understanding and more effective strategies to combat such challenges.

To read the full article, visit Elsevier's Journal of Surgical Research.

Stay connected with ImageTrend for more updates on our research initiatives and their impact on public health.