We convene a data equity workgroup in partnership with the California Department of Public Health, to ensure data laws are compliant and best practices are institutionalized. We focus on Assembly Bill 1726 as a case study, which mandates the disaggregation of health indicators into more specific AA and NHPI subgroups.
Key resource:

This policy brief presents key challenges to implementing California Assembly Bill 1726, which passed in 2016 and requires the California Department of Public Health to break down broad demographic data it collects into more specific Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander subgroups.
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SEARAC Policy Brief Highlights Opportunities, Challenges to Achieve Data Equity for AA and NHPI Communities in California
SEARAC is proud to release “AB 1726: A California Case Study on Disaggregating Public Health Data by Race and Ethnicity,” a new policy brief that presents key challenges to implementing California Assembly Bill 1726, which passed in 2016 and requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to break down broad demographic data it collects into more specific Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) subgroups.
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“Data disaggregation is a decades-long advocacy issue that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities have fought for and will continue to fight for until our communities are thriving. EPIC understands data disaggregation is one of the critical ways to uncover and address NHPI health and social inequities. AB 1726 would make the health outcomes of additional NHPI ethnic groups including Tongans and Fijians visible.”
Empowering Pacific Islander Communities
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“Southeast Asian Americans (SEAAs) experience unique health inequities due to our experiences with war, genocide, and displacement. For example, heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death for SEAAs in California, potentially linked to toxic chemicals used during the violence in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Almost half of SEAA Californians are limited English proficient and experience linguistic and cultural barriers to accessing care. Community leaders and policymakers need disaggregated data in order to identify disparities various populations face and create evidence-based solutions that improve health outcomes for all.”
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Thank you to our community for joining the national virtual screening of @seaajourneys_doc and for celebrating with SEARAC and @caamedia. This coast-to-coast gathering was a powerful reminder that Southeast Asian American stories are seen, shared, and celebrated across the country. From cities to small towns, Southeast Asian American communities have planted deep roots and our stories, cultural traditions, and histories continue to strengthen our nation.
We are grateful to the heroes of the docuseries for their courage in sharing their voice with us: @montagnardao @seacvillage @seamarket_fdrpark @laos_inthehouse @cambodian.association @iumienoforegon @hafafarmers @uccoflongbeach @vietrainbowoc @qhmer_org
Dec 17
Fifty years ago, over a million Southeast Asian refugees from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam arrived to the United States to seek safety from war, genocide, and violence. This led to the largest resettlement of refugees in American history.
This year is the Southeast Asian American community’s power year, and we are celebrating the introduction of our national resolution recognizing 2025 as the 50th anniversary of the resettlement of Southeast Asian refugees. Join SEARAC and community partners for a community celebration on Dec. 16 from 1-2 pm ET/10-11 am PT and RSVP at bit.ly/seaa50celebration.
Take part in honoring the Southeast Asian American legacy of survival, strength, and courage.
Dec 16
The newly introduced resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement is a historic moment of recognition for Southeast Asian American communities. Reporting from @asamnews shares how this resolution celebrates the contributions made by Southeast Asian Americans, while also advocating for policies that will support refugee and immigrant communities.
Join SEARAC, community leaders, and champions of this resolution tomorrow, Dec. 16 for a community event celebrating this resolution! RSVP for the event at bit.ly/seaa50celebration or at the link in our bio.
Dec 15
TODAY IS THE DAY! Join SEARAC, CAAM, and community partners from across the country for our special virtual screening of our docuseries, Southeast Asian American Journeys. We will be sharing our five part docuseries, including our episode "Between Us" which follows LGBTQIA+ Khmer and Vietnamese cultural workers in southern California as they contemplate the in-betweenness of belonging, healing, and carving out spaces of their own.
How to attend the virtual screening:
Visit SEARAC`s Facebook or Youtube channels (@SEARAC) at 4 pm ET/1pm PT. The full five part docuseries will be livestreamed and includes a Q&A and panel discussion!
Dec 13
Our special virtual screening is 1 day away and we can`t wait to share our award-winning documentary series with you. Southeast Asian American Journeys shines a powerful light on Southeast Asian American stories that are too often ignored in mainstream media. We hope that you join us in celebrating the remarkable experiences of our communities across the country, such as Hmong refugee farmers transforming local foodways in a diversified Minnesota.
Join us tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 13 from 4-6 pm ET (1-3 pm PT) for this special event. RSVP at bit.ly/journeysrsvp and tune in live on Facebook and YouTube from anywhere in the country.
Dec 12