<b>D</b> eveloping and validating an anti-Asian area racism index at the county level in the contiguous United States 2020-2021

Abstract The escalation of prejudice and hate crimes against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for robust measures to quantify anti-Asian racism. This study proposes a novel county-level index specifically designed to capture the multifaceted nature of anti-Asian racism. The index integrates data sets from diverse sources, including Twitter, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting System, Google Search Trends, and Asian Pacific American Justice. A validation of the index using nationally representative survey data indicates it significantly predicts area racism against Asian respondents. This study offers a nuanced understanding of anti-Asian racism and has the potential to inform targeted interventions, the allocation of resources for community support and educational initiatives, and can be instrumental for policymakers in identifying areas with heightened anti-Asian bias. Additionally, the index serves as a foundation for future research, facilitating the exploration of correlations between anti-Asian racism and various health and social outcomes. While limitations exist regarding data subjectivity and availability, this index represents a significant advancement in measuring anti-Asian racism at the county level. It facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of this critical issue and the development of effective strategies to combat racial injustice and address related geographic disparities.