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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រីករាយឆ្នាំថ្មី🌸 ສະບາຍດີປີໃຫມ່ 🌸 Happy Lao and Khmer New Year from SEARAC🌸
Our offices are closed today in observance of Lao and Khmer New Year. To our communities celebrating — we are sending you wishes for a peaceful, happy, and abundant year ahead.
(Photos courtesy of SEARAC from a 2015 Cambodian New Year celebration in Silver Spring, MD)
Apr 14

រីករាយឆ្នាំថ្មី🌸 ສະບາຍດີປີໃຫມ່ 🌸 Happy Lao and Khmer New Year from SEARAC🌸
Our offices are closed today in observance of Lao and Khmer New Year. To our communities celebrating — we are sending you wishes for a peaceful, happy, and abundant year ahead.
(Photos courtesy of SEARAC from a 2015 Cambodian New Year celebration in Silver Spring, MD)
For the third edition of SEARAC`s First 100 Days newsletter, we are breaking down recent EOs that deny immigrants and refugees access to public services. These EOs also attack Americans who are immigrants and refugees. We also included analyses of these policies` impacts to California, where SEARAC has an office that leads state-level policy advocacy and coalition building. Read the full newsletter at the link in our bio.
Stay tuned for the next edition by signing up for our newsletter at bit.ly/SEARACnews.
Apr 10

For the third edition of SEARAC`s First 100 Days newsletter, we are breaking down recent EOs that deny immigrants and refugees access to public services. These EOs also attack Americans who are immigrants and refugees. We also included analyses of these policies` impacts to California, where SEARAC has an office that leads state-level policy advocacy and coalition building. Read the full newsletter at the link in our bio.
Stay tuned for the next edition by signing up for our newsletter at bit.ly/SEARACnews.
SEARAC`s March newsletter is live. This month`s edition includes of policy updates on immigration and data equity as well as updates from our California team. Read the newsletter at the link in our bio!
Apr 8

SEARAC`s March newsletter is live. This month`s edition includes of policy updates on immigration and data equity as well as updates from our California team. Read the newsletter at the link in our bio!
SEARAC condemns the recent escalation of attacks on immigrant communities and the alarming rise in disappearances carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It echoes the trauma of authoritarian regimes in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, where thousands had been silenced, disappeared, or displaced. Read our full statement and a list of community resources at the link in our bio.
Apr 3

SEARAC condemns the recent escalation of attacks on immigrant communities and the alarming rise in disappearances carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It echoes the trauma of authoritarian regimes in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, where thousands had been silenced, disappeared, or displaced. Read our full statement and a list of community resources at the link in our bio.
50 years ago, Southeast Asian refugees came to the United States to seek refuge and safety after experiencing the pain of displacement and separation. Now, detention and deportation are re-traumatizing our communities and tearing families apart. Southeast Asian Americans need relief from the daily fear of deportation and a pathway towards healing.
Posted @withregram • @sahanjournal A Wisconsin Hmong woman’s recent deportation to Laos is rippling through Southeast Asian communities as the president ramps up arrests and pressures other countries to accept deportees.
Written by Katelyn Vue.
Photos by @aaronnesheim
Use the link in our bio to read more.
Apr 1

50 years ago, Southeast Asian refugees came to the United States to seek refuge and safety after experiencing the pain of displacement and separation. Now, detention and deportation are re-traumatizing our communities and tearing families apart. Southeast Asian Americans need relief from the daily fear of deportation and a pathway towards healing.
Posted @withregram • @sahanjournal A Wisconsin Hmong woman’s recent deportation to Laos is rippling through Southeast Asian communities as the president ramps up arrests and pressures other countries to accept deportees.
Written by Katelyn Vue.
Photos by @aaronnesheim
Use the link in our bio to read more.