Report Health Care Access among California’s Farmworkers By Paulette Cha Apr 25, 2022 Farmworkers are a key link in the food supply chain and important contributors to California’s economy. As farmworkers age, their health care needs are changing—and cost and lack of insurance are often barriers to care. While recent state and federal policies have made insurance more accessible, not all policies improved coverage among farmworkers.
Report Equitable State Funding for School Facilities By Julien Lafortune, Niu Gao Mar 14, 2022 Most funding for California’s K–12 facilities comes from local tax revenues, which depend on property wealth. State funding could potentially address wealth disparities, but it has disproportionately benefited more-affluent districts. Policymakers should prioritize equity in facility funding so that all students have access to safe and effective learning environments.
blog post Health in California Two Years into the Pandemic By Shannon McConville, Paulette Cha Mar 8, 2022 The COVID-19 pandemic not only highlighted longstanding health disparities in our state but also underscored the importance of health coverage and access to care.
Report Dual Enrollment in California By Olga Rodriguez, Niu Gao Oct 18, 2021 Dual enrollment provides opportunities for high school students to take college courses and earn college credit. The pandemic has fueled a nationwide surge in participation, and equity-centered legislation has raised dual enrollment’s profile in California. As dual enrollment expands, state leaders can take steps to promote equitable access and outcomes.
blog post California’s Prison Population Drops Sharply, but Overcrowding Still Threatens Prisoner Health By Heather Harris Mar 2, 2021 The state’s prison population declined by more than 20% in 2020 as authorities took steps to address the COVID-19 pandemic. But some California prisons are still well above capacity, posing potential health risks for prisoners and prison workers.
blog post To Speed Up Vaccine Distribution, Improve Broadband Access among Seniors By Niu Gao, Joseph Hayes Feb 25, 2021 Seniors rely on the internet to check vaccine availability and set up appointments. Disparities in broadband access may compound challenges for many communities already hit hard by the pandemic.
blog post The Economic Toll of COVID-19 on Women By Sarah Bohn, Dean Bonner, Vicki Hsieh, Julien Lafortune Dec 8, 2020 The current downturn has created a gender divide in un- and underemployment in California, with an especially large impact on low-income women and women of color.
blog post The Virus Detectives: Tracking COVID-19 in Bay Area Wastewater By Lori Pottinger Aug 3, 2020 Public health officials are struggling to keep up with testing and monitoring of COVID-19. Wastewater can provide a window into outbreaks. We talked to Eileen White of EBMUD about the agency’s role in tracking the spread of the virus.
blog post What Ohio’s COVID-19 Outbreaks Can Teach California Prisons By Heather Harris Jun 30, 2020 With an outbreak at San Quentin highlighting the threat posed by COVID-19, the experiences of Ohio prisons could provide lessons for California.
blog post Overcrowded Housing and COVID-19 Risk among Essential Workers By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Paulette Cha May 12, 2020 Essential workers are more likely than other workers to live in crowded homes, increasing the risk of transmitting the coronavirus.