Ensure meaningful implementation of data equity laws

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.

Members of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Asian Health Services, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities, and Southeast Asia Resource Action Center.

Featured story

“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

“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
A group of people perform outdoors

People Power in Action

Ensure accurate SEAA representation and self-identification

The census is the largest publicly available dataset with SEAA data. It directly influences political representation and funding for our communities.

June is a month of exemplifying intersectionality: SEAA communities are celebrating Pride Month, Immigrant Heritage Month, and World Refugee Day! It’s a time to embrace all aspects of our identities and take pride in who we are and where we come from. Thank you to @nataliepbui, SEARAC’s first-ever artist-in-residence, for beautifully capturing the joy and vibrancy of our communities through her art. 

June reminds us that there is space for the fullness of who we are to exist. We celebrate the refugee legacy of our Southeast Asian American community and honor those who paved the way for us to celebrate Pride.

#pride #pridemonth #RefugeePride #ImmigrantPride #WorldRefugeeDay

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Join SEARAC now in keeping Southeast Asian American families whole and defending our communities against violent ICE kidnapping and raids. Southeast Asian Americans are experiencing immigration detention and deportation more than ever before. Our family members and community members are being deported at rates more than 10x higher than in any previous presidential administration.

We need your support to continue SEARAC’s vital work with Southeast Asian American refugees and immigrants. Together, we are connecting vulnerable families with legal services, uplifting the unique experiences of our community through advocacy and storytelling, and building a pipeline of leaders who will lead us through this difficult time and into a more just, equitable world. Join SEARAC’s crowdfunding campaign today on Chuffed.org at the link in our bio!

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SEARAC presents the Rising Up fact sheet series, a five-part set of briefs that go into a deeper dive of selected findings from our Rising Up: The Southeast Asian American Educational Journey report.

The fact sheet series was accompanied by a parallel five-part webinar series  focused on pressing issues impacting Southeast Asian American students today, highlighting key data, community context, and actionable solutions for policymakers, advocates, and educators. Access the fact sheets and learn more at the link in our bio!

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SEARAC's May newsletter is now live. Check out the most recent updates from our national and California policy teams and enjoy a recap of how our team celebrated AANHPI Heritage Month! 

Check it out at the link in our bio!

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