blog post COVID-19’s Sobering Effect on Life Expectancy By Hans Johnson, Eric McGhee Jan 27, 2023 Life expectancy has declined dramatically during the pandemic. Both in California and nationally, it fell almost a full two years in 2020, and provisional estimates suggest further declines in 2021.
Report The Role of CalFresh in Stabilizing Family Incomes By Caroline Danielson, Tess Thorman Sep 21, 2022 CalFresh—California’s largest safety net program—helps mitigate income instability for many low-income families. But those without recent employment often do not experience this stabilizing effect. Additional efforts to automate income reporting and ensure that individuals can access CalFresh as soon as they are eligible could strengthen the program’s reach and impact.
blog post Making Water Affordable for Low-Income Households By Sarah Bardeen Jun 21, 2022 Carlos Torres is a program specialist with the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), a new federal program that assists low-income households with water and wastewater bills. We spoke to him about what it’s like working with the first-ever federal water assistance program.
Report Police Use of Force and Misconduct in California By Deepak Premkumar, Alexandria Gumbs, Shannon McConville, Renee Hsia Oct 26, 2021 Nearly 200 Californians die each year in police encounters. Amid growing concern over civilian deaths and racial injustice, we examine what the existing data can—and cannot—tell us about police use of force and misconduct. We also offer recommendations for strengthening the state’s ongoing efforts to improve police transparency and accountability.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Sep 1, 2021 Key findings include: A majority of likely voters say they will vote no on removing Governor Newsom; about half do not favor any replacement candidate or won’t vote [for one]. Californians name COVID as the top issue facing the state. Six in ten favor requiring proof of vaccination to enter large outdoor gatherings or some indoor spaces. Californians are divided on whether the US will see good financial times ahead.
blog post Ensuring Safe Drinking Water for California’s Native American Communities By Joy Collins, Caitrin Chappelle Jun 22, 2021 California’s tribes frequently lack access to safe drinking water—and lack the funds to fix aging infrastructure. A new state program may help improve the situation.
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 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.
