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 βAB 1726: A California Case Study on Disaggregating Public Health Data by Race and Ethnicity,β 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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βData 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.β
Empowering Pacific Islander Communities
βSoutheast 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.β
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SEARAC`s January newsletter is now live! Check out national and California policy updates from the SEARAC team and our latest staff blog here: searac.org/news/2026-news-in-review/
Feb 4
SEARAC National Deputy Director Kham S. Moua will be joining our partners at @ncapagrams for this upcoming community briefing. Learn why NCAPA opposes the FY26 DHS funding bill and what this means for AAPI communities.
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Feb 4 at 3 PM ET Link to register in bio
Feb 2
π’ Tell your senators: Do not give one single more dollar to ICE or CBP. Take action at bit.ly/rejectICEfunding. Link in bio
Jan 29
The deadline for applications to SEARAC`s LAT is approaching fast! Join SEARAC and rising leaders from across the country to deepen your understanding of the issues impacting Southeast Asian American communities and build the advocacy skills needed to advance change at the federal level.
π Apply by Feb. 8
π bit.ly/LAT2026app or link in bio
Tag a future leader who should apply!
Jan 29
SEARAC is hiring a strategic planning consultant! Help guide our 2027β2030 strategy and align our work with this political moment to serve and empower Southeast Asian American communities. Applications due Feb. 25. Learn more at searac.org/careers.
Jan 28
