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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Southeast Asian Americans are part of this country, and the census must reflect that. Tell the Census Bureau that every person should be counted and that our communities will not be erased.
More than 300 of you have taken action. 👏👏 Help us get to 500 by Nov. 2 and add your comment at bit.ly/SEARACcensusalert or at the link in our bio.
Oct 13
SEARAC is closed today in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We reflect on the land we occupy and our responsibility to learn from Indigenous voices and advance their calls for justice. Their leadership inspires our ongoing work toward a future where every community can thrive.
Oct 12
Get @reshare_app • @vietfilmfest 🎬 Southeast Asian American Community Building Panel🤝
Reflecting the themes of Sea Song and Southeast Asian American Journeys, this panel invites members of the Southeast Asian American community to share the stories, memories, and experiences that shaped how our communities were built and fostered in the aftermath of our arrivals. Together, we’ll reflect on our collective histories, the people and relationships that brought us together, and the communities we continue to build today.
📅 Sunday, October 11 at 9:30 AM . ⏰
🎟️Get your tickets, link in bio @vietfilmfest
Tag: @thecambodianfamily @haolbinc.1981 @seaajourneys_doc @thuyvodang @creativesantaana @oanhnhi.nguyen @mellydurianface
Oct 10
Erasing data does not erase disparities. Accurate data about race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation give policymakers and researchers the evidence they need to meet communities’ needs and direct resources where they can make a difference. Help us reach our goal of mobilizing 500 comments by submitting yours and encouraging five other people to do the same at the link in our bio. The deadline to submit your comment is Nov. 2.
Oct 9
Get @reshare_app • @ncapagrams **📣 Happening TODAY** Join NCAPA, AAPI Data, SEARAC, and EPIC for an online community info session on how we can mobilize to defend our right to a fair, accurate Census.
A proposed rule change to the Census would exclude millions of people from the 2030 population count and prohibit the collection of demographic data on race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
This info session will explore how you can make your voice heard via public comment ahead of the deadline and ensure that AANHPIs remain accurately counted and served.
📅 Date and Time: Thursday, October 8th at 1 pm PT / 4 pm ET
➡️ Register at aapidata.com/oct8infosession (link in bio!)
#Census #CommunityData #Workshop #PublicComment
Oct 8