Research Areas
The Center conducts research on a variety of national, state and local health policy issues, including:
• Economics of health care
• Health insurance coverage
• Access to, and quality of, care
• Prevention of chronic illness
• Racial and social disparities in health care access and health status
• Children’s health
• Women’s health
• Senior health
• American Indian/Alaska Native health
• Enhancing the health of communities
• Survey methodology
The Center provides topic-specific exercise through the following programs:
The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS)
CHIS is the nation’s largest state health survey and one of the largest health surveys in the United States. The CHIS Web site offers free data files, as well as quick, customized health statistics via its easy-to-use tool, AskCHIS.
Learn more about CHIS.
Health DATA
Through in-person and on-line workshops, the Health DATA Program helps policymakers, community groups and health and advocacy organizations to understand and use credible data in their programmatic and policy development work.
See upcoming workshops or learn more about the Health DATA Program.
Health Economics & Evaluation Research:
The Health Economics and Evaluation Research (HEER) Program examines the economic impacts of health care policies and programs. From local public health interventions, to statewide efforts to improve Medi-Cal, to national debates on health care financing, HEER staff provide analysis, conduct evaluations and offer expertise to policymakers and others concerned with health care costs.
Learn more about our Health Economics & Evaluation Research Program.
Health Insurance:
The Health Insurance Program examines key state and national trends in health insurance coverage, including employer and individual insurance, access to insurance, as well as the health and economic impact of lack of insurance. The program’s biennial publication, “The State of Health Insurance in California,” provides omnibus reporting of important health insurance statistics.
Learn more about our Health Insurance Program.
Chronic Disease:
The Chronic Disease Program conducts wide-ranging research on chronic conditions, including asthma, cancer, diabetes, obesity and coronary heart disease. The program investigates the causes of chronic disease, such as unhealthy food and living environments, as well as the health, social and economic consequences.
Learn more about our Chronic Disease Program.
Health Disparities:
The Health Disparities Program examines the unique health concerns of populations challenged by inequities in health and health care quality along racial, ethnic, age or socio-economic lines. In particular, the program is noted for its expertise on the elderly, immigrants, women and American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
Learn more about our Health Populations Program.