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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We are just 4 DAYS AWAY from the national screening of our award-winning documentary series, @seaajourneys_doc. The docuseries bridges coasts and communities with the power of storytelling. With 2025 marking the 50th year of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the United States, SEARAC is proud to share these intergenerational stories, including the Montagnard community in North Carolina.
This series was produced alongside award-winning filmmaker Quyên Nguyen-Le, and @caamedia. Register for the event here: seaapower.com/journeyslivestream
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Today is the final day of SEARAC’s Week of Giving and we’re asking our community to consider making a gift to fuel our movement. This year, SEARAC defended Southeast Asian Americans’ right to be seen through our groundbreaking new documentary series, Southeast Asian American Journeys. In partnership with the Center for Asian American Media and acclaimed filmmaker Quyên Nguyen-Le, we brought to life the diverse stories of our communities across the country and honored stories that too often go unheard.
And we’re just getting started! Help us uplift the next generation of Southeast Asian American storytellers and advocates and donate today.
Donate today: bit.ly/searac2025fundraiser
Learn more about SEARAC’s Week of Giving: bit.ly/searacweekofgiving2025
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Your gift to SEARAC fuels our work to build power with Southeast Asian Americans and other refugee and immigrant communities across the country. This year, alongside our partners, we introduced a California state resolution commemorating 50 years of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the United States. This was a powerful reminder that Southeast Asian Americans belong in the halls of power, from Sacramento to Washington, DC.
As we honor the past 50 years of the Southeast Asian American legacy, we’re also fighting to secure the next 50 years. Join our movement today and help us reach our $50,000 goal by the end of 2025.
Donate today: bit.ly/searac2025fundraiser
Learn more about SEARAC’s Week of Giving: bit.ly/searacweekofgiving2025
Dec 4
We’re halfway through our Week of Giving, and we’re calling on our community and supporters to help us reach our $50,000 goal in honor of the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian American refugee resettlement.
For decades, our communities have fought for our stories to be seen through disaggregated data, ethnic studies, language access, and more. SEARAC continues to push for accurate representation in education data and the US Census so our communities are no longer erased, overlooked, or undercounted. This is how we secure the future our community deserves.
Your support powers SEARAC’s fight to ensure Southeast Asian American students have equal access to high-quality education and the opportunities to thrive.
Donate today: bit.ly/searac2025fundraiser
Learn more about SEARAC’s Week of Giving: bit.ly/searacweekofgiving2025
Dec 3
We are 11 days away from the virtual screening of Southeast Asian American Journeys (@seaajourneys_doc), a docuseries produced by Quyen Nguyen-Le, in association with SEARAC and the Center for Asian American Media (@caamedia).
Join us on Dec. 13 from 4-6 pm ET (1-3 pm PT) for this special event. Learn more at seaapower.com/journeyslivestream to RSVP and tune in live on Facebook and YouTube from anywhere in the country.
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