Addressing Basic Needs in Higher Education: Innovative Research and Policy to Support UC Student Success
On October 14th, 2025, Cal-IHEA and the Center for Economic Justice and Action (CEJA) co-hosted a webinar featuring research insights and evidence-based recommendations to strengthen basic needs programs and resources for students in higher education. The event was moderated by Drs. Heather Bullock, CEJA Director, and Denise Payán, Cal-IHEA Faculty Director. Dr. Shana Charles, Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health at California State University, Fullerton and the city of Fullerton’s Mayor Pro Tem, provided policy remarks. Panelists were UC Essential Needs Consortium awardees from UCSF, UC Davis, and UC Irvine who presented research findings from recently completed studies in the UC system.
Watch the Webinar recording here
Read the Key Related Resources here
Community Health Worker Perspectives: Affordable Housing & Mental Health in Merced County, California
In 2024, Cal-IHEA partnered with the University of California, Merced (UC Merced) to conduct a community partner convening in partnership with Cultiva Central Valley (CCV), a local nonprofit, to discuss feasible solutions to address key issues in Merced County. This community-partnered research aimed to integrate community knowledge, expertise, and lived experience with academic research methods to address regional public health and healthcare issues. Local community members, specifically a dedicated network of Community Health Workers (CHWs) also known as promotoras, were invited to participate in convenings as a platform for dialogue and advocacy. This approach is rooted in a community-based participatory research approach and yielded valuable insights into the following topics: 1) housing insecurity; and 2) a shortage of culturally responsive mental health programs and services. CHWs provided feedback on policy and programmatic options presented during these convenings. CHWs were highly engaged and provided valuable feedback on structural and social barriers and policy strategies to improve health in their communities. Recommendations include a need for local information/educational campaigns in Spanish on renters’ rights and resources to address behavioral health workforce gaps. This work highlights the importance of engaging with and prioritizing community voices to discuss policy options and address health inequities.
Older Undocumented Enrollees in My Health LA Were Less Likely to be Hospitalized After an ED Visit
Cal-IHEA is proud to support and share important new research led by Dr. Alein Y. Haro-Ramos, PhD, MPH, in collaboration with Dr. Dylan Roby and Dr. Annie Ro: “Older Undocumented Enrollees in My Health LA Were Less Likely to be Hospitalized After an ED Visit.” This brief explores Emergency Department (ED) utilization trends among older undocumented adults in Los Angeles County’s public hospitals prior to the Medi-Cal 50+ expansion. Drawing on electronic health records from 2016–2020, the research brief provides key insights into healthcare use from My Health LA. Cal-IHEA was honored to provide translational and editorial support for this work. We invite you to read and share the brief widely, its findings have important implications for health equity, policy, and care delivery.
Retaining Immigrant Health Coverage in California
On April 24th, 2025, the California Initiative for Health Equity and Action (Cal-IHEA) and Insure the Uninsured Project (ITUP) co-hosted a virtual policy forum to convene a panel of experts from UC Irvine, UC San Francisco, Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC), and the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN). The event was moderated by Crispin Delgado, ITUP Executive Director, and began with legislative remarks by state Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula. The goal was to provide research evidence, multisectoral perspectives, resources, and recommendations to retain health coverage gains for immigrant communities in California at a critical period when federal and state funding for the state’s Medicaid program is being threatened.
Watch the Webinar recording here
Read the Briefing Proceedings here
Affordable Healthcare for All: Research & Policy Insights
On October 22nd, 2024 the California Initiative for Health Equity & Action (Cal-IHEA) convened a panel of experts from UC Berkeley, the California Black Health Network (CBHN), and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) to present and discuss research and policy related to healthcare affordability in California. The event was moderated by Cal-IHEA Faculty Associate, Dr. Dylan Roby from UC Irvine, with legislative remarks provided by California State Senator Josh Becker. The objective was to provide a timely update, data, and resources on healthcare affordability and related equity issues with actionable insights from policymakers, scholars, community leaders, and local health departments.
Watch the Webinar recording here
Read the Briefing Proceedings here
Innovative Strategies to Diversify California’s Health Workforce
On May 23rd, 2024, the California Initiative for Health Equity and Action convened a panel of University of California (UC) experts to present and discuss “Innovative Strategies to Diversify California’s Health Workforce.” The goal was to identify ways in which educational pipeline and mentoring programs can better meet the needs of students who are aspiring health professionals and leaders in the state. Strategies to help address regional health personnel shortages and increase workforce sustainability and retention were also discussed in the webinar session. Panelists included Dr. Janet Coffman (UCSF), Dr. Alejandra Casillas (UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine), Dr. John Billimek (UC Irvine), and Dr. Rosa Manzo (UC Merced).
Watch the Webinar recording here
Read the Briefing Proceedings here
Policies and Initiatives to Prevent the Recurrence of Intimate Partner Violence
In a recently published policy report entitled “State Innovation to Prevent the Recurrence of Intimate Partner Violence,” Cal-IHEA examined how other states implement IPV prevention and intervention strategies through public health-oriented approaches to batterer interventions programs, the current primary intervention for those who cause harm. In this evidence briefing, academic, policy, and advocacy stakeholders discussed the report’s six policy recommendations and California’s path towards re-imagining the role of batterer interventions programs and promoting restorative justice as part of IPV prevention efforts.
Read the Briefing Proceedings here
Connecting for Better Health Panel Series Session 3: Data Sharing to Support the Whole Person
On June 17, 2021, we partnered with BluePath Health and the Connecting for Better Health coalition to coordinate and co-sponsor a panel discussing social determinants of health through health information exchange and public health state influence in this process.
The issue brief provides vital background information on the history and current state of SDOH data including details on the Whole Person Care pilot and key take-aways from other states. The brief also outlines three policy recommendations for SDOH data collection and use in California. The proceedings document provides a recap of key points and policy recommendations presented during the panel.
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Read the Briefing Proceedings here
Environmental Health Equity: Moving from Evidence to Action
On June 2nd, 2021, the California Initiative for Health Equity and Action brought faculty researchers and community leaders together to share their work surrounding environmental health and the impact of hazardous exposures on vulnerable populations across California. Their findings indicate that pregnant people, low-income communities of color, and indigenous migrants are especially impacted by hazardous environmental exposures, and the interaction of multiple vulnerabilities poses increased health risks. With wildfires and accompanying pollution projected to increase in the coming decade, panelists discussed the next steps for research and offered evidence-based policy recommendations to effectively minimize adverse health and social impacts on California’s most vulnerable communities. Amy Padula, PhD (UC San Francisco), Camila Alvarez, PhD (UC Merced), Michael Mendez, PhD (UC Irvine), Omar Paz (North Bay Jobs with Justice), and Maria Salinas (Movimiento Cultural de la Unión Indígena) joined moderator Jay Graham, PhD (UC Berkeley) as panelists for this event.
Read the Briefing Proceedings here
Data Sharing to Promote Health Equity
On April 28, 2021, Cal-IHEA and Connecting for Better Health convened a panel of experts for an interactive discussion on data sharing to advance health equity. The session highlighted the need for a statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE) in California to facilitate data exchange to improve care coordination and respond to public health emergencies. By securely collecting and sharing data related to race, ethnicity, and language, interventions can target vulnerable communities to effectively address health disparities. The panel also discussed the importance of establishing trust, and offered insights on how policy can support sustainable interoperability and data exchange.
This briefing proceeding provides key takeaways from our speakers: Dr. Julia Adler-Milstein (UCSF), Dr. Alice Chen (Covered California), Rhonda Smith (California Black Health Network), and moderated by Dr. Hector Rodriguez (Cal-IHEA). The briefing was the second of a three part series on HIE and Public Health, and the webinar was co-hosted by Cal-IHEA and the Connecting for Better Health Coalition.
Watch the Webinar recording here
Read the Briefing Proceeding here
Advancing Digital Health Equity in California
On March 9th, 2021, the California Initiative for Health Equity & Action (Cal-IHEA) convened a panel of experts to discuss key policies to move the needle on digital health interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal was to identify ways in which policies concerning telehealth parity and other non-traditional forms of digital health interventions (ie. text-based interventions) can support Californian families that are struggling during the pandemic, and most importantly, how they can continue to access these technologies post-pandemic.
The webinar was co-sponsored by Health Tech 4 Medicaid and the Office of Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, with financial support provided by The Blue Shield of California Foundation. Panelists include Dr. Adrian Aguilera (UC Berkeley), Dr. Mary Reed (Kaiser Permanente), and Dr. Katherine Kim (UC Davis). The panel was moderated by the Executive Director of HealthTech for Medicaid, Adimika Arthur, with opening remarks from Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry.
Watch the Webinar recording here
Read the Briefing Proceedings here
Increasing Economic Support for Low-Income Californian Families during the COVID-19 Pandemic
On December 10th, 2020 the California Initiative for Health Equity & Action (Cal-IHEA) convened a panel of experts to discuss key policies to move the needle on economic and labor supports for Californian families during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Our goal was to identify ways in which policies like the Earned Income Tax Credit and paid family leave can support Californian families that are struggling during the Pandemic. The webinar was co-sponsored by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Policies for Action Research Hub at The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), The Office of Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, and Blue Shield of California Foundation.
This briefing proceeding provides key takeaways from our speakers: Dr. Michael Reich (UC Berkeley), Dr. Rita Hamad (UCSF), Jenna Gerry (Legal Aid At Work), and Bridget Shea(Paid Leave U.S.). Their presentations focusing on paid leave, the impact of labor market policies on mental health, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks provided opening remarks, and the panel was moderated by Professor Will Dow from UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health.
Watch the Webinar recording here
Read the Briefing Proceedings here
Expanding California’s Behavioral Health Workforce in Response to COVID-19
On November 19, 2020, the California Initiative for Health Equity & Action (Cal-IHEA) convened an expert panel of behavioral health care leaders to discuss and highlight opportunities and policy solutions to support and expand the state’s behavioral health workforce in response to COVID-19. Our goal was to identify behavioral health workforce needs, demands, and promising policy/practice solutions. This webinar was sponsored by the Blue Shield of California Foundation and co-hosted by the Office of California State Senator, Jim Beall (15th Senate District).
Watch the Webinar recording here
Read the Briefing Proceeding here
Disrupting Upstream Determinants of Family & Community Violence in the Era of COVID-19
On September 16, 2020, the California Initiative for Health Equity & Action (Cal-IHEA) convened an expert panel to discuss policies and practices that can disrupt upstream determinants of family and community violence. Our goal was to identify strategies to overcome barriers to re-framing domestic and intimate partner violence in terms of its structural determinants. This webinar was sponsored by The Blue Shield of California Foundation and co-sponsored by the Office of California State Senator, Melissa Hurtado (14th Senate District).
COVID-19 has highlighted the need for economic support, affordable housing, and other equity-focused investments in low-income and minoritized communities throughout California. For Cal-IHEA, this includes the need to re-frame domestic and intimate partner violence in terms of its social and structural determinants. This briefing highlighted how primary prevention investments can protect and support families and neighborhoods impacted by violence, especially communities of color.
Watch the Webinar recording here
Read the Briefing Proceedings here
Tackling the Digital Divide by Improving Internet and Telehealth Access for Low-Income Californians
On July 28th 2020, the California Initiative for Health Equity & Action (Cal-IHEA) convened an expert panel to discuss research, policy, and practice aimed at exploring and closing the digital divide between low-income individuals and the rest of the California population. While telehealth has been around for decades, COVID-19 has made it imperative that patients are able to access high-quality remote care to ensure their health and safety. This has increased the urgency to ensure that low-income patients are not left behind as we shift to care that relies even more heavily on the ability to afford high-speed internet services as well as smartphones, tablets, and computers. The briefing highlighted efforts that are already underway to improve and ensure access to internet and digital devices in California and beyond.
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Read the Briefing Proceedings here
Addressing the Latino Physician Shortage
The California Initiative for Health Equity & Action (Cal-IHEA) and The Latino Policy and Politics Initiative (LPPI) jointly convened an expert panel on May 28, 2020 to showcase research focused on addressing the Latino physician shortage in California and supporting Latino physicians in practice. California has a growing shortage of primary care physicians, which presents significant access barriers for monolingual Spanish-speaking Latinos. There is an urgent need to improve the representation of Latinos in medicine and to ensure that Latino physicians are professionally supported. The briefing highlighted how workforce policies aimed at increasing the Latino physician pipeline can advance health equity for Latinos across the state.
Watch the Webinar recording here
Read the Briefing Proceedings here
Priority Actions for California to Reduce the Impact of Housing Instability and Homelessness on Health
Housing instability and homelessness in California have been exacerbated by COVID-19. On March 11, 2020, Cal-IHEA co-sponsored a briefing with Assemblymember David Chiu, the Chair of Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee, focused on “housing as a health intervention”. The briefing highlighted gaps in addressing homelessness and highlighted existing innovative solutions that promote housing as a way to improve health outcomes of people experiencing homelessness and unstable housing.
Watch the Webinar recording here
Read the Briefing Proceedings here