From lack of vaccine access, undiagnosed TB, measles outbreak, suffering from the highest rates of diabetes, and leading the high rates of many cancers, Pacific Islanders often fair the worst in health outcomes compared to other racial groups. The lack of access to health insurance and healthcare providers have exasperated these negative outcomes.
There are a myriad of issues that are tackled by our partners in the Pacific Islander Wellness Taskforce assembled in Eastern, Southwest & Western Washington. Through our partnerships, PICA-WA is proud to offer our Pasifika Wellness Clinic to fight health disparities, work on prevention and also provide culturally relevant health education that is accessible in Pacific Islander languages.
Our Pasifika Wellness Clinic takes place on Wednesdays of each month at our office in Federal Way WA, as well as 2nd and 4th Fridays in Vancouver, WA on a walk-in basis. For more information, contact us at 206.686.5221 or contact@picawa.org.
Masks have been proven as an effective prevention strategy against COVID-19 spread, along with washing your hands and social distancing. It is important that our Pacific Islander families are wearing masks when they go out in public at all times and not gather with others who do not live in the same household. Keep yourself, our elders and our children safe by wearing your mask. If you are in need of masks, please reach out to us.
Inaccurate information spreads widely and at speed, making it more difficult for the public to identify verified facts and advice from trusted sources, such as their local health authority. However, everyone can help to stop the spread. If you see content online that you believe to be false or misleading, you can report it to the hosting social media platform.
(source: World Health Organization)
Our free vaccine toolkit provides beautiful graphics, easy-to-read fact sheets, and responses to frequently asked questions regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in order to protect our Pacific Islander communities, especially our treasured elders. We encourage you to use and share our toolkit, which has been translated into various Micronesian, Polynesian and Melanesian languages. Click on the image above to access our toolkit.
Dr. Malik Fuimaono was born in California but raised in Samoa where he attended school in Apia. He received and accepted a scholarship to Auckland University and graduated with a Bachelor in Science majoring in Biology. He pursued his medical school degree from Saint George’s University and established his residency in Internal Medicine from St Michael’s Hospital, Seton Hall University in New Jersey. He currently is the Associate Chief hospitalist at Skagit Valley hospital in Mount Vernon, Washington. He also serves as an Adjunct Clinical Professor for Pacific Northwest Medical school, Yakima, Washington and is a core clinical faculty for Internal Medicine residency at Skagit Valley hospital. He currently lives with his wife Tusi and 4 kids in Mount Vernon, Washington. He enjoys volunteering time to help kids and giving educational sessions concerning the medical concerns of our Pacific Island communities in Washington State. He also enjoys playing rugby in his spare time.
Pacific Islander Community Association of WA (PICA-WA) serves as a cultural home, centers community power, and advocates to further the wellness of Pacific Islander communities in Washington State.