Report Achieving Universal Broadband in California By Joseph Hayes, Niu Gao, Darriya Starr, Amy Gong Liu Mar 29, 2023 In 2021, California invested over $6 billion to expand broadband infrastructure, address affordability, and promote digital literacy. This report examines barriers to installing broadband in underserved communities and offers recommendations as the state aims to close the digital divide.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Pandemic Changes to Medi-Cal and Implications for California’s Immigrant Farmworkers By Paulette Cha Mar 22, 2023 Pandemic changes to Medi-Cal made it easier for low-income Californians to stay enrolled and to access expanded services—improvements to care that may have helped immigrant farmworkers. The upcoming end of the public health emergency will reverse some of these changes, as advocates push to keep others permanent.
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.
blog post Emotional Distress and Limited Access to Care Put Families’ Health at Risk By Darriya Starr, Paulette Cha Apr 20, 2022 The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a number of challenges to the emotional well-being of parents and children, while the increased needs of youth have been exacerbated by a shortage of mental health professionals.
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.
blog post The Digital Divide Has Narrowed but Still Affects California’s Children By Paulette Cha, Niu Gao Aug 10, 2021 California has made progress over the past year, but many children—particularly those in low-income families—still lag behind their peers in technology access.
blog post How Telehealth Can Bring Equity to Health Care By Paulette Cha May 12, 2021 The expanded use of telehealth visits during the pandemic highlights their potential to increase health care access, especially among underserved groups.
blog post Video: A Conversation with University of California President Michael V. Drake By Mary Severance Feb 26, 2021 Dr. Michael V. Drake talks with PPIC’s Mark Baldassare about how UC has responded to COVID-19 and discusses the system’s ongoing efforts to increase equity and diversity.
blog post COVID-19’s Toll on Mental Health By Daniel Tan Sep 11, 2020 The ongoing pandemic poses a number of mental health challenges, with more Californians reporting anxiety, worry, and other symptoms in recent months.
blog post Online Medical Care during COVID-19 By Paulette Cha, Daniel Tan, Shannon McConville Apr 8, 2020 The central role of telehealth services during the pandemic makes addressing disparities in online access especially important.
