Center in the News

The intersection of social determinants of poor mental health existed even before the pandemic and especially in communities of color,” Padilla-Frausto said. “So we do see that compounding effect, especially for students of color.”

Results from a recent UCLA survey confirm a rise in COVID-related hate crimes towards Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) in California. Since the California Health Interview Survey from 2020, the percentage of hate crimes against AANHPI individuals has since doubled, said UCLA Center for Health Policy Research Director Dr. Ninez A. Ponce.

The COVID-19 pandemic surfaced a youth mental health crisis that was surging throughout California. In Sacramento County, the Department of Public Health says it worked with almost 12,000 kids with mental health-related concerns between 2021 and 2022 ... Dr. Imelda Padilla-Frausto, a research scientist at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, says there’s a need for equitable — not equal — distribution of mental health resources to properly aid students of color. Her vision for equity is providing more support to schools with marginalized students, instead of the same level of support.

“Hate incidents can cause long-term psychological and physical trauma,” Dr. Ponce said to UCLA. “So it’s critical that we provide timely data on often overlooked racial and ethnic groups so that decision-makers can take steps to put an end to hate incidents in California.”

Preliminary data released today by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research’s California Health Interview Survey found that more than 1 in 12, or 8%, of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults in California experienced a hate incident due to COVID-19. Of those who experienced a hate incident, 84% said they sustained verbal abuse or insults.

Todd Hughes interview with Jason Middleton: Preliminary estimates show mask wearing dropped significantly - more than half of California adults wore masks every time they went out in Feburary/March, but that figure dropped to 1 in 3 in May. Those who never wore a mask was 8% in February/March, and rose to 20% in May. How will this play out in the fall? People are showing more behaviors that put themselves at risk, especially among those who aren't vaccinated. Regarding long COVID (have symptoms for 2 months or longer): nearly 1 in 3 who ever tested positive for COVID experienced long COVID

According to a brief from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 45 percent of California youth between the ages of 12 and 17 report having recently struggled with mental health issues, with nearly a third of them experiences serious psychological issues that could interfere with academic and social functions.

In California, 55% of older residents and people with disabilities need help from another person for routine care, such as completing chores, shopping or getting to appointments, according to a recent analysis from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. About 21% need help with personal care, like eating, bathing and getting dressed. Of those who need assistance, 40% reported needing more or not receiving any at all.

Re: AB1400 (xx) According to UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research, 94% of Californians already currently have health insurance and there is a remaining 6% who are uninsured. But, of the uninsured, 54% are eligible for subsidized health insurance and just chose to waive that available coverage option. The next biggest group of uninsured are undocumented immigrants — making up 41% of California’s uninsured population.

“Older adults and adults with disabilities are often stretched thin financially,” said Kathryn Kietzman, director of the center’s Health Equity Program and co-author of the research. “They’ve cut back on spending and even borrowed money but are still struggling to afford housing and food. For many, paying for any amount of caregiving help is out of reach.”