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
“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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Latest related posts
Our fourth key finding from SEARAC`s latest education report, Rising Up, acknowledges that as the federal government
abandons its responsibility to protect educational access and
opportunity, states, school districts, colleges, and universities must step up to safeguard educational equity.
Read the full report and our newly released executive summary at bit.ly/RisingUpSEARAC or at the link in our bio.
Apr 4
SEARAC`s March newsletter is now live. Check out the most recent updates from our national and California policy teams and enjoy a recap of our Workplace Wellness blog series from last month.
Read the newsletter here: https://shorturl.at/ioniZ
Apr 3
Join us for upcoming screenings of @seaajourneys_doc:
April 8, 2026
Full docuseries screening hosted by the Asian American Center for Excellence & Engagement (@uml_aacee) @ UMass Lowell
April 11, 2026
Full docuseries screening hosted by Long Beach Public Library (@lbcitylibrary) at the Bach Neighborhood Library
April 17, 2026
Screening of Muoz-doic Mixtape at Hollywood Theatre
Included in the the Portland Panorama Film Festival (@pdxpanorama)
April 18, 2026
Full docuseries screening hosted by Long Beach Public Library (@lbcitylibrary) at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library
April 25, 2026
Screening of Teb Chaw (Land) at Zinema 2 (@zeitgeistduluth)
Included in the Zeitgeist Minnesota Film Festival (@minnesotafilmfestival)
Keep track of upcoming screenings and purchase tickets at the link in our bio!
Apr 2
“Today is more than a legislative milestone. It’s a community victory built on years of organizing, healing, and leadership from impacted individuals who refuse to accept permanent punishment as their future.” – Quyen Dinh, Executive Director of @searac
We are proud to introduce Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act #SEADRA and defend Southeast Asian refugee and immigrant communities. This is a moment to celebrate—and to build. SEADRA is a powerful step toward ending unjust deportations and keeping Southeast Asian families together. Community wins are possible with collective action. Endorse SEADRA today: https://actionnetwork.org/campaigns/searr-campaign and share widely. @SEARAC @seafnofficial
Apr 1
For our final Workplace Wellness blog series, SEARAC California Deputy Director Mandy Diêc, penned a blog about countering ideas of "productivity" and "urgency" in social justice work. Mandy writes, "I believed that burnout and emotional taxation was just part of the commitment to social justice. SEARAC taught me that this was directly opposed to values of equity, justice, and community care."
Read her blog post at the link in our bio.
Mar 26
