New Report Presents Health Disparities by Race and Ethnicity in California

California is the most racially diverse state in the nation; of its nearly 40 million individuals, more than 65% identify as a person of color. However, people of color in California continue to face barriers in accessing health care, often receive suboptimal treatment, and are most likely to experience poor outcomes in the health care system. Disparities in health, health care and social drivers of health persist, affecting individuals, communities, and the overall health of the state’s population and the economy. Ensuring that all Californians have access to high-quality health care and can lead long and healthy lives requires reducing these disparities. As the nation’s most populous and racially diverse state, California has a critical role in ensuring the health and well-being of all Californians and helping to advance health equity nationally. In partnership with Aurrera Health Group, the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) released Health Disparities by Race and Ethnicity in California: 2024 Edition, a report that presents information on key indicators of health and health care by race/ethnicity across nine care domains, including behavioral health, maternal/childbirth, and homelessness, and provides actionable data that can inform efforts to reduce disparities that affect historically excluded or marginalized groups. The 2024 report builds on the 2021 version (also authored by Aurrera Health Group) and includes a new domain focused on social drivers of health in addition to new indicators within existing domains that provide additional information about racial and ethnic disparities in the state. Some key findings are listed below.

• About one in 10 Latinos/x reported they were uninsured, and more than one in four had incomes below the federal poverty level. 

• One in four Black respondents in the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) felt they could have received better care if they were a different race/ethnicity. 

• American Indian and Alaska Native Californians had the highest death rates from breast, colorectal, and lung cancer. Black Californians experienced the highest death rates from cervical and prostate cancer. 

• In 2021, the percentage of Black infants who were born preterm (12.7%) or who had low birthweight (12.4%) was higher than those of other races/ethnicities. 

• Between 2018 and 2020, Black mothers/birthing people+ experienced the highest maternal mortality rate among all races/ethnicities.

+ ”Birthing people” is used to recognize that not all people who become pregnant and give birth identify as women or mothersThe report is accompanied by a quick reference guide that looks at Medi-Cal managed care enrollment and quality of care by race/ethnicity. The quick reference guide presents enrollee data by race/ethnicity on topics such as child and adolescent health, perinatal health care, and preventive screenings.  Key findings featured in the quick reference guide are listed below. 

• In 2022, Latinx Californians comprised almost half (48%) of all individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care. 

• Latinx women enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care had higher cervical and breast cancer screening rates than other races/ethnicities. 

• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Californians enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care had the lowest percentage of postpartum visits after delivery (62.5%).

The full report, including a data file with report charts as well as the one-page quick reference guide, are available on the CHCF website. These materials are part of the CHCF California Health Care Almanac, an online clearinghouse for key data and analyses of the California health care landscape.Aurrera Health Group is proud to support CHCF in its efforts to provide actionable information that can be used to better understand and address racial and ethnic health disparities in service of health equity.

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Authors

Jenneil Johansen [Deputy Director]

Sophie Leruth [Policy Consultant]