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.

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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.”

SEARAC
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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.

Nyob Zoo Xyoo Tshiab! Happy Hmong New Year! To our Hmong and Southeast Asian community celebrating, SEARAC wishes you a safe and joyful new year celebration. We are welcoming the future with hope and positivity!

SEARAC's offices will be closed for the upcoming holidays and will reopen Dec. 2.

Photo courtesy of KaYing Yang.

Nyob Zoo Xyoo Tshiab! Happy Hmong New Year! To our Hmong and Southeast Asian community celebrating, SEARAC wishes you a safe and joyful new year celebration. We are welcoming the future with hope and positivity!

SEARAC`s offices will be closed for the upcoming holidays and will reopen Dec. 2.

Photo courtesy of KaYing Yang.