Health economist Professor Deborah Taira, based at the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, specializes in researching health equity issues for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. With a strong focus on improving access to clinical trials, Taira’s extensive research delves into health disparities affecting these populations.
During AANHPI Heritage Month, Taira’s expertise was featured in a podcast by the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity. Although Hawaii has the highest life expectancy in the U.S., Taira highlighted significant health disparities, including Native Hawaiians living about 11 years less than Chinese residents in the state. Her passion for addressing these disparities drives her work towards achieving health equity in Hawaiʻi.
Throughout her career, Taira has published over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts on health disparities, cost, and health outcomes for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Her interest in studying health disparities began with her mother, a nursing professor who made house calls in elderly housing projects. Through this experience, she learned the importance of understanding patients’ life circumstances to improve their health outcomes.
In addition to health disparities, Taira’s research also focuses on medication adherence and the cost-effectiveness of cardiovascular interventions. She has experience working at the Health Institute at the New England Medical Center and with the Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association, analyzing large administrative datasets related to cost and lab data. Taira’s commitment to researching health equity issues continues to drive her work towards improving health outcomes for AANHPI communities.
Overall, Professor Deborah Taira is a leading expert in studying health equity issues for AANHPI communities. Through her extensive research and passion for addressing disparities, she continues to make a significant impact on improving healthcare outcomes for these populations.
