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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Get @reshare_app • @seaajourneys_doc Meet us at the 15th annual BlackStar Film Festival this August in Philadelphia! @blackstarfest is celebrating this milestone with a powerful program of films from Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists, panels, and of course, parties.
𝗠𝗨𝗢𝗭-𝗗𝗢𝗜𝗖 𝗠𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗔𝗣𝗘 screens in the shorts program AUTOSCOPY
📅 August 7, 2026 at 11:30am
📍Philadelphia at the Kimmel Center
blackstarprojects.org/festival
#CinemaForLiberation #BSFF26
Jul 10
Last month, Jenna McDavid, SEARAC Director of Development, wrote a blog reflecting on her 10-week sabbatical and the opportunities and challenges that came with it.
Jenna shares, “And yet, despite the much-needed opportunity to rest and recharge, I struggled with sabbatical! I found it surprisingly hard to not work, especially when it has been more than 25 years since I didn’t have a job. It took me weeks to really let go.”
Read Jenna`s blog at the link in our bio!
Jul 8
In honor of SEARAC`s 2026 Leadership & Advocacy Training (LAT) program next week, here`s a throwback to our 2025 LAT superstars ⭐! SEARAC is thrilled to welcome our next cohort of rising Southeast Asian American leaders to Washington, DC next week for three days of leadership development, community power, and advocacy.
Thank you to this year`s program sponsors including: @aarp, @blueshieldcafoundation, District Capital Management, @ocanational, and @statefarm. LAT is only possible through the generous support of our funders and donors! Join our movement to build a pipeline of leaders. Learn more at the link in our bio or visit bit.ly/givetosearac
Jul 6
Today marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and Southeast Asian Americans are also commemorating over 50 years of refugee resettlement. That means Southeast Asian Americans have been part of this country’s past, present, and we will continue to shape this country. Southeast Asian Americans have been contributing, building, advocating, and shaping communities from coast to coast.
The story of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement is inseparable from the American story. It reflects this nation`s promise of refuge, opportunity, and inclusion.
Let`s make sure Congress recognizes all of who we are. Urge your rep to pass the Southeast Asian American 50th Anniversary Resolution. Join us: bit.ly/SEAA50to250
#SEAA50 #SEAAResolution
Jul 4
Repost from fightforourhealth 🌀 One year later. H.R. 1 — the so-called Big Beautiful Bill is making health care coverage less accessible for the workers, seniors, people with disabilities, and low income families who need it most.
This is just the beginning. The most restrictive provisions are yet to kick-in. #FightForOurHealth coalition is fighting to keep Californians healthy and covered.
Jul 4