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.”
SEARAC
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Chicago, check out a FREE screening of the five-part Southeast Asian American Journeys docuseries TOMORROW, Oct. 1, at 6 pm local time. Event host @faaimchicago will be presenting it as part of a collection of short films from the diverse range of underrepresented voices from the SEA diaspora. @seaajourneys_doc series producer and director Quyên Nguyễn-Lê will be in attendance for a post-screening audience Q&A, alongside Pader Xiong, director of Home-land: Hmong American Women. RSVP at: https://www.faaim.org/first-thursdays-seaaj and check out more screenings near you at the link in our bio.
Sep 30
We’re proud to launch Weaving Wellness: Intergenerational Insights from Southeast Asian American Communities.
Drawing on the experiences of more than 150 SEAAs, this new report shows that wellness is communal, rooted in connection, and shaped by cultural traditions across generations. It also highlights the vital role of SEAA-serving organizations in addressing isolation and strengthening intergenerational wellbeing.
Explore the findings and recommendations at the link in our bio.
Sep 29
Take action by Oct. 13: Tell the Census Bureau to count Southeast Asian Americans!
The Trump Administration has proposed sweeping changes to the 2030 Census that would prohibit the collection of race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation data.
The proposal would also deny political representation to millions of people by counting only US citizens and green card holders in the decennial population count, which decides how many representatives each state gets in Congress. People with other immigration statuses, such as former lawful permanent residents, work and student visa holders, and asylees, would be excluded.
Submit your comment to the US Census Bureau by Oct. 13: bit.ly/SEARACcensusalert
Read our full statement and other steps you can take to make your voice heard at the link in our bio.
Sep 24
Last call to sign up for our virtual report launch and discussion of our new report, Weaving Wellness: Intergenerational Insights from Southeast Asian American Communities. Join us and our special panel of SEAA community leaders later TODAY, 9/23, from 3-4 pm EDT (12-1 pm PDT).
RSVP at the link in our bio.
Sep 23
HAPPENING TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, 9/23! Join us in celebration of the launch of our new report, Weaving Wellness: Intergenerational Insights from Southeast Asian American Communities. We`ll be discussing key research findings and recommendations from our special guests, including
• Varaxy Yi, California State University, Fresno
• Jacqueline Mac, Northern Illinois University
• Christine Fu, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• Sarun Chan, Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia
• Jannette Diep, BPSOS – Houston
• Sunny Chanthanouvong, Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota
RSVP today at the link our bio
Sep 22