Asian-American Women's Health Initiative Project (AWSHIP)

09/10/2025

Why are we doing this study?
Losing a loved one to su***de can have profound impacts on bereaved family members. As such, families affected by su***de deserve compassionate, culturally appropriate, and research-informed support.

In our knowledge, our new Hope & Empowerment for Asian Loss (HEAL) Study is the first research focused on how su***de impacts Asian Americans family members:

🎯 Core focus: How Asian American families navigate grief and trauma after profound loss

🔍 Additional factors: Examines other elements that influence the bereavement process

🌟 Goals:
- Honor bereaved Asian American family experiences.
- Develop culturally responsive support interventions.

All information will be kept private and confidential, accessible only to researchers. Your data will be linked to an anonymous study ID number for statistical purposes only, and you can withdraw from the study at any time.

Please share this study with your community and encourage others to connect with us at [email protected]

If you are interested, please visit our website (https://www.bu.edu/aware/) and complete the form:
https://bostonu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaBF2JsmyJGBtIi?Q_CHL=qr

Thank you, HEAL team!

12/29/2023

In the midst of the shock and sadness over "Parasite" actor Lee Sun-kyun's tragic death, the New York Times interviewed me for my take on South Korea's hardcore zero-tolerance drug policies, especially compared to the U.S.'s war on drugs back in the '70s and '80s. His passing brought a whole storm of issues – an aggressive police investigation, rumors about affairs and drug uses of the actor, his private life getting dragged into the spotlight, the hit to the reputation he built over 24 years, and the personal shame and struggle he must've faced. But my interview with the Times was mostly about Korea’s drug policy issues.
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In this article:
The country’s latest crackdown, and the rhetoric of Mr. Yoon and officials in his administration, have echoed the “war on drugs” of the 1970s and ’80s in the United States, said Hyeouk Chris Hahm, a professor at the Boston University School of Social Work. “Cracking down with these harsh punishments and unreasonably long years of imprisonment is not going to be effective” in reducing drug use and overdose deaths, Professor Hahm said. “And we know that from the history of the U.S.”

So sad. Rest in Peace.

The actor, Lee Sun-kyun, had been questioned on suspicion of drug use in a country that has long drawn a hard line against anything other than total abstinence.

12/05/2023

The su***de rates keep going up in the US. The total number of su***des reached nearly 50,000 in 2022 — the highest number recorded in US history, according to CDC. The 19th News interviewed me to share my thoughts on this phenomenon. I highlighted these three factors for this article:

1. Su***de is associated with a complex combination of individual, interpersonal, and societal factors, making it difficult to pinpoint exact causes. The losses of the pandemic — in addition to a loneliness epidemic, substance use disorder, and financial strains in young adulthood — as potential contributors to deteriorating mental wellness and subsequent increased su***de rates.

2. Especially among young adults in the U.S., these stresses are often linked to high college costs, student loans, and escalating living expenses.”

3. In addition, the current housing crisis, characterized by a lack of affordable options and high mortgage rates, further crushes many young adults’ dreams of homeownership.

We urgently require more effective solutions to address su***de in our society. We must listen more carefully to what our young adults are saying. Better access to high-quality substance use programs is essential. We must protect our citizens from gun violence. We need to find ways for young adults to thrive and flourish, instead of burdening them with student debt and denying them the dream of homeownership.

***deprevention

The latest CDC data shows a significant increase for women between the ages of 25 and 34. The number of su***des for men increased 2 percent.

09/16/2022

Christina Lee, who used to be AWARE lab research assistant, is now a doctoral student at NYU, and initiated her exciting study on East Asian American Mental Health Study! Please participate in this study, and share your voice so that we generate more data for Asian American health!!
Link to the study:

https://nyu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a5KHmnVD42iv5jg

06/27/2022

The death of roe by H. Chris Hahm
I woke up and felt like I was living in a different country. A country that is other than America. America in Chinese is 美国, which literally translated as “a beautiful country.” This beautiful country has slowly turned into a cruel country that is punitive and patriarchal. A country that burdens women, especially those who are poor and have fewer means to survive. A country that is willing to deny the rights, health, lives, and livelihood of women.

How ironic it is that lawmakers can decide whether or not women have rights to health and healthcare but individuals have the right to decide to carry fi****ms in public in the name of self-defense? How can we justify the prosecution against women, doctors, and family members who would assist with abortion in the name of saving the fetus? Who will protect the unwanted children’s health, well-being, and economic means to survive and thrive? Are we really ready to live in a community where we become paranoid and distrustful of each other?

The death of Roe will tear this beautiful country apart–further into the deepening division, destruction, and desperation. In the midst of painful reality, let’s not lose hope. Let’s continue to speak up, push for, and fight for the women’s right to choose not only for ourselves but also for all the family members who are dependent on our health and wellbeing. . Photo credit: deadline.com

03/23/2022

Our first Wave of the COVID-19 young adults study uncovered that US young adults suffer from high levels of depression (43.3%), high level of anxiety, (45.4%) and high levels of PTSD symptoms (31.8%). Now, we are excited to collect Wave 4 CARES study!

Are you between 20-32 years old and identify as Black, Latino, Asian or Multiracial? You may participate in the BU/Harvard Medical School CARES study by taking a 45-minute online survey and receive a $30 gift card! Fill out this screener if interested:
https://bostonu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a4brMRTdnbadU0u

02/22/2022

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Christina Yuna Lee who was recently stabbed to death in New York City's Chinatown. Christina had graduated from Rutgers University and was a creative producer at a digital music platform. She was loved by many. While race-based violence against Asians and Asian-Americans has not been circulating in mass media lately, it is clear that such violence is tragically still devastating Asian/Asian-American communities today.

01/28/2022

We are proud to announce that "Risks to Clinically Significant Depression and Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of U.S. Young Adults Across Two Waves" has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Psychiatric Research. This paper explores and highlights the influence of social climate and COVID-19 risk on anxiety, as well as the influence of financial concerns on depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is crucial for public health experts to take these factors into account when working to mitigate the consequences of a public health emergency on the mental health of young adults.

01/24/2022

New Jersey governor Phil Murphy recently passed a new law, following in Illinois' lead, requiring schools to teach Asian American and Pacific Islander history in schools. This law will go into effect during the next school year, 2022-2023. We are excited to see some progress in the incorporation of AAPI history into the American education system and hope to see other states follow in Illinois' and NJ's footsteps.

01/21/2022

We are excited to announce that the AWARE Lab has collaborated with the Boston Lyric Opera to help provide information on the mental health resources to support AAPI and BIPOC artists and staff in "The Butterfly Process." This encourages an inclusive space for both artists and audiences and represents a new emerging approach to presenting operas today. This positive relationship between us and Boston Lyric Opera is a step in the right direction!

12/24/2021

Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe holiday season!

12/07/2021

Dr. Hyeouk Chris Hahm was quoted in a US Today article discussing hit K-pop group BTS' decision to take a break and prioritize their well-being. This decision is seen as admirable amid South Korea's highly competitive and egalitarian society, which Dr. Hahm says leads to a plethora of psychosocial stressors, hence South Korea's alarmingly high su***de rate. Hopefully, BTS's example will inspire others in the "cut-throat" K-pop industry, as well as in society as a whole, to follow suit and prioritize mental health.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2021/12/07/bts-break-how-k-pop-can-change-after-past-star-su***des/8891630002/