Comprehensive data on Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) groups in the United States is generally lacking, and there is an even more pressing need for specific analysis on individual ethnic groups within this diverse category, which consists of over 70 distinct groups.
The demand for more research data on individual Asian American sub-communities has become increasingly apparent following the U.S. Federal Government's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) introducing new standards for demographic research. These standards now include collecting data on additional racial and ethnic subgroups. Until now, existing data has combined the mosaic experiences of the AAPI communities into a single data point, disregarding the cultural and historical diversity among Asian Americans. While OMB's actions signify progress, proactive measures are being made by civic groups like the Council of Korean Americans (CKA).
