Ninez Ponce discusses the importance of data equity at a White House panel
UCLA CHPR Director Ninez Ponce invited to the White House to talk about data equity at a panel for AANHPI Heritage Month
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UCLA CHPR Communications Team
On May 3, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research Director Ninez A. Ponce, PhD, MPP, was featured on a panel of distinguished community leaders and researchers at the White House Forum on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
Hosted by the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI), the all-day forum included breakout convenings, panels, and artistic performances to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.
Ponce, who also serves as endowed chair and professor of health policy and management at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, was part of the Advancing Justice Through Data Equity breakout convening held from 9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. ET.
“This is an exciting opportunity to both celebrate the historic achievements of AANHPI communities and work toward a better future for all Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders,” Ponce says. “It is an honor to collaborate with leaders from across the nation who are passionate about advancing equity and justice for all AANHPIs.”
By 2060, AANHPI populations are projected to increase to 10% of the U.S. population, yet a lack of disaggregated data masks the experiences, priorities, and challenges of these diverse communities and hinders the allocation of federal resources. Ponce, a champion for data disaggregation and data equity, discussed the need for and importance of data equity, along with the work being done at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research’s Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) Data Policy Lab and California Health Interview Survey (CHIS).
The panel also included Gregg Orton, national director of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans; Fontane Lo, deputy director of AAPI Data; Kham Moua, national deputy director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center; and Neil Ruiz, head of Pew Research Initiatives at the Pew Research Center.
The White House Forum featured remarks from Vice President Kamala Harris and other members of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet; convened diverse federal government leaders, state, and local elected officials as well as community advocates, business leaders, and influencers to celebrate the rich history and contributions of AA and NHPI communities; and highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s progress and commitments to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities.
This year’s theme is “Visible Together,” in which the White House Office of Public Engagement invited everyone to “reflect on the power of community — and acknowledge the intense, generational challenges and opportunities that come with coalition building.”
About the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research (CHPR) is one of the nation’s leading health policy research centers and the premier source of health policy information for California. UCLA CHPR improves the public’s health through high quality, objective, and evidence-based research and data that informs effective policymaking. UCLA CHPR is the home of the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) and is part of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.