Dr. Panapasa’s research focus examines the role socio-demographic change plays in the health and well-being of island populations across the lifecourse. In her early research she studied family support and intergenerational exchanges among aged Pacific Islanders living in the US and Pacific region. These works examined change among elderly living arrangements and headship status as a response to demographic and socioeconomic shifts from modernization and development. Her current research will establish baseline information to address and eliminate health disparities among Native Hawaiian other Pacific Islanders living in the United States (funded by the National Cancer Institute and National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities). She is also reviewing the quality of health data resources in the US Territories (funded by the US Department of Interior) and working with these governments to improve the use of these data to measure disease processes and health concerns. Her interests include family demography, race and ethnicity, measuring health disparities and comparative studies.