The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) Making an Impact 2025 report highlights our latest research and data and that of people who use it: researchers, health departments, government agencies, journalists, nonprofit organizations, funders, students, and community groups.

The report includes:

Publications: In-depth regional health profiles and deep dives into mental health needs within AIAN and LGBTQ communities. Rising hate incidents and out-of-reach child care. Explore some of the policy briefs, fact sheets, and reports we produced in 2025.

Annual CHIS Data Release: Housing and food insecurity. Medical debt and delayed medical care. Physical and mental health effects of wildfires. This year's CHIS data release highlighted the growing challenges Californians faced.

CHIS in Legislation: CHIS plays a critical role in informing health policy decisions. The California Health Benefits Review Program used CHIS data in its analysis or background for 15 bills. CHIS data on food insecurity, mental health, and hate acts were also cited in resolutions, committee hearings, and other legislative efforts.

CHIS in Media: Data is essential to media and journalism. In an era of misinformation and disinformation, CHIS stands out as a reliable source that strengthens trust and drives informed dialogue. From national outlets like the L.A. Times and ProPublica to hyperlocal news outlets serving smaller communities, journalists rely on CHIS data to ground their stories in evidence.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles and Policy Reports: CHIS data power a wide range of resources — from local dashboards and advocacy reports to comprehensive chartbooks and peer-reviewed journal articles. Explore some of the publications and tools produced by researchers, community advocates, health departments and agencies, and many other organizations and stakeholders using CHIS data.

CHIS in College Campuses Around the Country: CHIS isn’t just shaping statewide health policy — it’s fueling innovation and inquiry on college campuses across the nation and beyond. From undergraduate theses to doctoral dissertations to campus media, students are leveraging CHIS data to explore critical issues like health inequities, immigrant experiences, and food insecurity.

Notable numbers
 

142,173
queries were made through our free online tools, AskCHIS™ and AskCHIS™ Neighborhood Edition (NE) in 2025.

Nearly 
2.1 million 
queries have been made in AskCHIS™ and AskCHIS™ NE since inception.

24 million+
different CHIS estimates can be explored in AskCHIS™, including 608 variables and topics. 

275+ 
media stories featured or cited CHIS data in 2025.

130+ 
publications featured or cited CHIS data in 2025 — from peer-reviewed journal articles to government reports to online tools.

Read our CHIS Making an Impact 2025 and see the myriad ways our data were used by researchers, government agencies, health departments, advocates, journalists, and others to spotlight health issues and disparities in California and beyond.

“It is so gratifying to see how many organizations and people use the California Health Interview Survey. It’s a powerful reminder about how putting information into the hands of the public exemplifies what we set out to do in creating the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.” 

— Ninez A. Ponce, PhD, MPP, UCLA CHPR Director and CHIS Principal Investigator

The 2024 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) Making an Impact report shows our latest research and that of people who use our data — our funders, researchers, health departments, government agencies, journalists, nonprofit organizations, and community groups — who share a goal to make the people of California healthier and stronger.

The report includes:

Publications: From the lingering effects of adversity in childhood to the psychological stress of gun violence to the economic challenges older adults face, CHIS policy briefs, fact sheets, and reports touched on a wide variety of the health care needs of California’s diverse populations.

Annual CHIS Data Release: 50+ new questions made our CHIS data release this year even more timely: Housing discrimination, gambling’s effect on mental health, unintended pregnancy, child gender identity, and teen sexual identity were some of the noteworthy topics.

CHIS Journal Articles and Policy Reports: The use of CHIS data in academic and policy circles has not only expanded our understanding of health disparities and trends but has also played a pivotal role in shaping evidence-based policies that address the unique health care needs of communities across the state.

CHIS in Legislation: CHIS data were used in part of the analysis or background for 30 bills, including AB 2467 (would require coverage for treatment of menopause symptoms) and SB 839 (would require comprehensive coverage for obesity treatments).

Presentations and Events: UCLA CHPR staff used CHIS data in dozens of presentations and events across the country.

Awards: For its two decades of work advancing data equity, the California Health Interview Survey was awarded the Inclusive Voices Award by the American Association for Public Opinion Research in 2024. For her commitment to public health data collection, Ninez Ponce accepted the 2024 Elizabeth Fries Health Education Award from the CDC Foundation and the James F. and Sarah T. Fries Foundation.

Notable numbers

102,000+ queries were made through our free online tools, AskCHIS™ and AskCHIS™ Neighborhood Edition (NE) in 2024.

450+ media stories featured or cited CHIS data in 2024.

More than 100 publications featured or cited CHIS data in 2024 — from peer-reviewed journal articles to policy briefs to government reports to book chapters.

536 total variables and topics and 19 million different estimates that can be explored in AskCHIS™.

Settle in with CHIS Making an Impact 2024 and see the myriad ways our data were used by researchers, government bodies, health advocates, journalists, and others to spotlight health issues and disparities in California and beyond.